WORCESTER Cavaliers battled to a 22-16 victory over Northampton Wanderers last night to record their third straight Aviva ‘A’ League victory.

Tries from James Stephenson, Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier and Mat Gilbert helped Cavaliers claim another Sixways win after fighting back from an early 10-0 deficit.

Robbie Keith kicked the other Cavaliers’ points in a game in which Northampton’s Harry Mallinder was red-carded in the first half.

Cavaliers started brightly with Fatiaki making a crunching run before Perry Humphreys created problems down the left with a chip-and-chase.

But it was Northampton who drew first blood when Hooley slotted an early penalty.

Wanderers found their way into the Cavaliers 22, Packman dodged inside from the right wing to score for the visitors with Hooley converting.

It didn't take long for the hosts to reply though and after clean hands from Keith, Fatiaki and Alex Grove, Humphreys dinked a ball through for Stephenson who raced on to collect and dive over the line.

From the restart, Harry Mallinder tackled Richard de Carpentier in the air in a nasty challenge which the referee deemed worthy of a red card.

Despite being a man down, Northampton found the next score when Hooley nailed another penalty.

Cavaliers then worked the ball well from left to right with Stephenson doing well to keep the ball in play before Ben Sowrey stormed downfield.

The ball switched direction again with Stephenson and fellow wing Josh Drauniniu linking but the high intensity of play forced a knock-on from Drauniniu when bearing down on the line.

Two minutes later, Bruzulier spotted a gap to nip under the posts with Keith slotting the conversion.

Northampton stretched their lead further two minutes after the break through a Hooley drop-goal before Cavaliers kicked a penalty deep into the visitors' 22 to pile on pressure of their own.

After good work from the lineout, the ball eventually found its way to Gilbert.

The back-row found a gap to force his way over the line and gave his side the lead for the first time in the match.

Keith added the extras to put Cavaliers 19-16 ahead as the game started to swing in the hosts' favour.

Northampton missed two penalties and were punished when Keith added another three points moments later.

With the hosts six points in front, Northampton upped the ante once again and camped in Cavaliers' half as they tried to force their way back into the game.

But the home side defended bravely and kept the Premiership side at bay, eventually clearing the ball and seeing out the match.