WORCESTER Wanderers travelled to Old Halesonians in Midlands One (West) and played their part in producing an excellent game of rugby with both sides scoring four tries as the hosts ran out 38-27 victors.

Despite a Chris Jenkinson hat-trick, Wanderers failed to win a pulsating game as the prolific boot of Old Hales full-back Chris Hooper made the difference.

His flawless first-half kicking performance with the wind at his back forced Wanderers to rue their indiscipline.

Both sides made every effort to play open rugby, but it was a Hooper penalty that opened the scoring following an earlier Greg Fincher attempt that struck a post.

Wanderers hit back with Jenkinson’s first try, duly converted by Fincher, to take the lead.

The first-half ebbed and flowed, but it was Old Hales who went into half-time with a 26-17 lead, despite Fincher having converted Simon James’ try following an excellent rolling maul from 20 metres out.

The second-half began with Wanderers throwing everything at Old Hales.

A promising move was interrupted by a penalty following Wanderers indiscipline and Old Hales rallied, scoring two quick tries, one converted by Hooper, to take a commanding 38-17 lead.

Wanderers were rattled and spent the rest of the third quarter trying to recover their composure as Old Hales sought the killer try.

Slowly, Wanderers got back into the game.

A series of five-metre scrums were repelled by a disciplined Old Hales defence.

However, Wanderers finally found themselves with numbers out wide and Jenkinson scored his second try. Fincher narrowly missed the conversion.

From the re-start, Wanderers attacked again, looking for their fourth try and a bonus point.

With seven minutes remaining, Jenkinson forced his way over in the corner for his third try.

Wanderers went after another try to secure a second bonus point, but came up just short against a determined Old Hales defence.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde Wanderers performance, but the young side showed tremendous determination to come back and secure a bonus point when all seemed lost.