WORCESTER Warriors easily out-manoevured a poor Newcastle Falcons side to claim a Guinness Premiership victory in front of 10,197 fans at a chilly Sixway.

Mike Ruddock’s men are now well in touch with the teams in the top half of the table, while Falcons look set to battle it out for the relegation spot with Bristol, who were also comfortably beaten 39-10 at Gloucester.

Warriors were inspired by Australian full-back Chris Latham, who ran the show with his impeccable kicking game, before limping off late on with a knee injury — although the early prognosis was for nothing too sinister.

Worcester scored tries through Latham and Sam Tuitupou, while Loki Crichton's goal-kicking was top-notch after he replaced recurring ankle injury victim Matthew Jones.

Early on, Latham caused havoc in the Newcastle defence after taking the ball at pace. Falcons’ lock Geoff Parling was penalised for going off-side and Jones gave Worcester the lead.

Wing Chris Pennell brilliantly doubled Worcester's advantage after 13 minutes by splitting the posts from inside his own half after loose-head Jon Golding was penalised.

Falcons spurned the chance to pull back three points by kicking to the corner instead of going for the posts after Matt Mullan conceded a penalty. The visitors won the line-out but, after several phases, wasted the chance with a knock-on.

Tevita Taumoepeau was then guilty of playing the ball on the floor and fly-half Rory Clegg slotted the resulting penalty.

On the half-hour, full-back Latham showed his class with a phenomenal clearing kick from well inside his own 22 which rolled into touch 10 metres from the Falcons try line.

The former Aussie international was soon involved again, breaking the line and setting up a ruck, at which Falcons infringed, allowing Crichton to kick to the corner. From the line-out, Warriors won the ball but Crichton’s pass drifted forwards. However, referee Martin Fox called play back for a penalty against Golding for slowing the ball and the Samoan outside-half made no mistake.

After failing to breach the Falcons’ try-line in the first 40 minutes, Warriors needed just two second-half minutes before the ball was worked to Latham, who galloped into space and barrelled over in the corner. Crichton impressively added the extras from out wide.

Clegg made amends for a missed penalty after 49 minutes with a successful effort from half-way three minutes later after Crichton was caught crossing. But he continued his impressive night’s kicking with another tricky effort after Newcastle had been penalised for holding.

Worcester then went in search of their second try, but Latham’s pass to Pennell was adjudged forward.

Falcons knocked-on on their own 22 and Warriors ran the ball from the scrum before Crichton’s deft chip foxed the away side’s defence for Sam Tuitupou to gather and dive over under the posts. Crichton added the extras.

With the clock ticking down, Falcons scored a consolation try trhough right winger Danny Williams following several minutes camped on the Warriors’ line.

Warriors: Latham (for Gear, 70 mins, 6) 9; Pennell 8, Rasmussen 7, Tuitupou 8, Benjamin 6; M Jones 6 (for Crichton, 24 mins, 8), M Powell 8 (B Jones, 72 mins, 7); Mullan 8, Fortey 6 (for Lutui, 19 mins, 7), Taumoepeau 7 (Horsman, 59 mins, 7), Rawlinson 7 (for Bowley, 69 mins 6), Gillies 8, Talei 7 (Cox, 72 mins, 7), Sanderson 8, Horstmann 7.

Attendance: 10,197.