THE first two songs played over the Sixways public address system as I arrived for Warriors’ Guinness Premiership clash with Sale Sharks were ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ and ‘The Only Way Is Up’ — somewhat prophetic, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Despite employing more width than in recent league matches and the welcome return to the back-line of the electric Marcel Garvey, Worcester were again architects of their own downfall as Mike Ruddock’s men crashed to a 37-20 defeat.

Losing star performer Chris Latham, who had already put his side ahead with a trademark barnstorming run to the try-line, to a neck injury after just 24 minutes was a hammer blow to Warriors’ hopes.

In fact, Latham is so key to Worcester’s ambitions, Sale’s new director of rugby, former Worcester player Kingsley Jones, admitted that his side changed their entire game-plan as soon as the World Cup winner had been stretchered off the field.

Without the 78-Test veteran patrolling the deep, Charlie Hodgson looked to kick in behind Worcester at every opportunity — and this tactic had the desired effect as the hosts struggled to break out of their half.

Sale took a third-minute lead when Hodgson slotted a penalty in front of the posts after Worcester played the ball on the deck.

However, the hosts roared back with a fifth-minute try. Aleki Lutui took the ball into contact before it was worked to fly-half Joe Carlisle, who drew two markers and found the on-rushing Latham.

The Aussie full-back gathered the ball at full tilt and treated the fans in the north stand to a swan dive beneath the posts. Carlisle added the extras.

As Sale attempted to defend against Carlisle’s penetrative grubber kick, they were guilty of going off their feet but the young Warriors stand-off narrowly missed his penalty attempt from out wide.

Latham then put Sale on the back foot with a superb touch-finder from well inside his own half. From the line-out, Lutui drove ferociously to take two defenders back several yards before the ball went out wide, where Sale were penalised for a dangerous tackle.

However, in the build-up, Latham was trapped at the bottom of a ruck and had to be stretchered off while receiving oxygen to be replaced by Loki Crichton.

From the re-start, Warriors thought they had scored but number eight Kai Horstmann was denied as referee Rob Debney collared Matt Mullan for obstruction.

Horstmann was then guilty of illegally blocking the impressive Dwayne Peel’s try-scoring pass and the Worcester number eight was sent to the bin.

England centre Mathew Tait, released by Martin Johnson for this game, put Worcester on the back foot with a clever chip-chase which was scrambled out for a line-out.

The Sale forwards battered Worcester’s line but the hosts held up at the expense of a five-metre scrum. After several phases, Hodgson decided enough was enough and retreated into the pocket to slot a simple drop-goal.

Warriors captain Pat Sanderson bizarrely opted to take a quick re-start which allowed the visitors to make the most of their man advantage as Peel surged deep into the 22.

More bruising drives resulted in blindside flanker Chris Jones crashing over before Hodgson improved the try.

Carlisle pulled back three points after a Sale offside and Hodgson missed following a similar offence from the hosts.

Carlisle’s left boot delivered the second-half kick-off directly into Will Bowley’s hands and set Warriors off and running before illegal hands in the ruck thwarted their progress.

Carlisle split the posts but Sale attacked again soon after, allowing Hodgson another drop-goal effort, which this time missed.

Sale inside-centre Lee Thomas then found Tait, who showed a bit of jet-heeled magic to dance through the Warriors rearguard before off-loading to Oriol Ripol, who touched down under the posts. Hodgson converted.

Many people believed this game was make-or-break for Carlisle and the youngster performed admirably on the whole only for his error to lead to Sale’s third try.

The outside-half showed his skills to dummy his way out of defence but, as he was tackled, his attempted off-load only found Sale flanker Neil Briggs, who coasted over unopposed before Hodgson added the extra points.

Worcester battled their way up to the Sale line several times in the final quarter but were not precise enough in their execution.

However, with nine minutes remaining, the home forwards sucked in enough Sale defenders to allow Carlisle to go out wide to Hal Luscombe, who sent in Garvey for a try on his comeback from a hip problem. Carlisle’s fine touchline conversion found its target.

But Sale were determined to leave Sixways with the full five points and opted to go for the corner from a penalty in kicking range.

Warriors managed to hold out but Sale set up one more attack which saw wing Chris Bell slice through and dive under the posts to wrap up the bonus-point victory.