FULL-BACK Ben Howard took the plaudits as Worcester Warriors opened their European Challenge Cup campaign with a 19-3 victory against La Rochelle in an error-strewn affair at Sixways.

The 22-year-old was the bright spark for the hosts on a rain-soaked and frustrating afternoon in which both teams made countless handling errors and the penalty count rose to 27.

Howard’s desire to run with the ball eventually paid off in the 77th minute when he took a neat inside pass from Ravai Fatiaki to score the game’s only try.

The try was converted by Lamb, who kicked four first-half penalties in the pool four tussle.

It wasn’t a game which will live long in the memory but Warriors again showed resilience, particularly after replacement prop Gareth Milasinovich was yellow-carded in the second-half.

“We butchered enough tries in the game so it was nice to finally finish one at the end,” said Howard in an honest assessment.

“It was a bit of a scrappy game and very set-piece orientated which isn’t always best for the backs but when it’s raining like that, that can happen.

“I hadn’t started a game this season and when I get the ball I always rather run that kick, but sometimes you do need to kick. Everyone was trying to show what they could do and, hopefully, I managed to do that.”

He added: “I have been lucky that I have been on the bench a few times, because you are still around the squad all week which makes a big difference.

“A lot of the guys hadn’t even had that which is very tough because they are training each week and doing extra fitness on Fridays and Saturdays rather than playing a game.”

Referee Dudley Phillips penalised the French Top 14 side for offside at their own kick-off and the decision set the tone for the day.

Lamb slotted two early penalties after the visitors had been caught offside but Charles Bouldoire replied with a three-pointer for La Rochelle in the 11th minute.

Lamb kicked Worcester 9-3 ahead but Bouldoire struck an upright with his next shot at the posts which almost worked in the visitors’ favour.

Charlie Mulchrone fumbled the ball as it came down off the post, handing La Rochelle a five-metre scrum. However, Warriors’ scrum held firm and they managed to withstand the pressure.

With scrum offences high on the both sides, visiting hooker Maxime Gau was yellow-carded for an infringement and Lamb’s fourth penalty gave Warriors a 12-3 half-time cushion.

Warriors threatened in the early stages of the second-half through the ball carrying skills of Tevita Cavubati and Matt Cox. However, Lamb, with options outside him, opted to kick the ball and sailed beyond the in-goal area.

Bouldoire scuffed a penalty attempt as the errors continued and his replacement Fabien Fortassin also struggled badly.

A sharp burst from Ben Sowrey got Warriors fans on their feet before the hosts were reduced to 14 men when Milasinovich was sinbinned for a scrum offence. La Rochelle made the mess of an overlap 10 metres from Warriors line.

Warriors had the final word when Howard combined with Fatiaki to score the game’s only try and Lamb added the extras.