WORCESTER'S 18-year-old centre Greg Meredith marked his debut with a thrilling hat-trick of tries as the Sixways side started their pre-season with a 40-28 defeat by Pontypridd.

Meredith, who joined Worcester just two weeks ago straight from Rossall School in Lancashire, cut the Welsh defence to pieces with a mature display of running attack.

The visitors needed all their experience to grab the win after trailing 21-14 early in the second half.

Pontypridd attacked early on and were rewarded with a score from Tongan hooker Feao Vunipola.

Ceri Sweeney added the conversion, but Worcester lock Gavin Webster soon made amends as he ran in on the end of a jinking attack from wing Nick Baxter.

Tony Yapp's kick levelled the scores but the pace of Pontypridd's backs caught Worcester sleeping and they recaptured the lead with a try from Wales A centre Jason Lewis.

Meredith's first try brought Worcester back into the game and a half-time score of 14-14 and he made it 19-14 five minutes into the second half.

Sateki Tuipulotu added the conversion but Worcester's defence was caught napping and quick counter-attack gave the visitors further scores from John Bryant, Richard Parkes and Welsh international Lee Jarvis.

Meredith completed his hat-trick only for streetwise Pontypridd to secure victory when Jarvis bagged his second try of the game to put the match beyond Worcester's reach.