A THRILLING encounter saw Worcester Warriors topple Saracens 36-26 at Sixways to win the fifth-place play-off at Premiership Rugby's Under 18 Academy Finals Day, writes Declan McHaffie.

Warriors made a great start with Ted Hill scoring early on but Saracens responded through a Sean Reffell try.

Ollie Lawrence scored two tries in quick succession before Eliott Obitiyembo crossed the whitewash to bring Saracens within seven points.

But James Scott went over for Warriors on the stroke of half-time as they enjoyed a 24-12 lead.

Saracens replacement Billy Young scored twice in the opening nine minutes of the second-half to turn the game on its head as they went ahead 26-24.

But Warriors showed great spirit to battle back with Cameron Harrison scoring from the restart and the hooker was able to touch down at the death to seal a brilliant victory.

It took just three minutes for Warriors to score the first try of the match with captain Hill charging through from five metres out to score under the posts.

Alex Forrester converted comfortably but Saracens fought back with Refell able to bundle over the line and Manu Vunipola, cousin of England stars Mako and Billy, converted to level the scores after ten minutes.

The match, which was back and forth throughout, saw Warriors score two tries in quick succession through Lawrence to take a commanding lead.

The first was created by poor Saracens passing deep in their own half and Lawrence took full advantage to score on the left.

And the powerful centre had Hill to thank for his second, as the captain made great progress despite three players trying to wrestle him to the ground, before the ball was switched out to Lawrence for his second score.

Forrester converted and the fast-paced encounter still had two more tries in it before the end of the first period.

Warriors committed too many players to defend an attack down the left and Obitiyembo was able to charge across the pitch to score in the far right corner for the visitors.

However, Worcester's 12-point gap was restored on the stroke of half-time after a great move saw both Harrison and Alex Bartley evade tackles before offloading to Scott to score.

Warriors headed into the second-half with confidence but Saracens quickly put the home team on the back foot.

Young was able to make the most of the slow start as he picked up from a ruck to touch down under the posts and Vunipola converted.

The quick turnaround was complete when Young had his second try and Saracens' fourth of the match as he was again able to bruise through from the breakdown.

Vunipola converted again to turn the game on its head, giving Saracens a two-point lead just 10 minutes into the half, but Warriors responded perfectly from the restart to regain the lead.

Harrison was able to score after brilliantly charging down a clearance kick and the match was back in Warriors' hands again.

Both sides pressed for the all-important next score and it looked as if Saracens were going to get it after winning a penalty just five metres from the Warriors tryline.

However, the visitors retaliated and the referee overturned the decision allowing a relieved Worcester side to kick away the danger.

With just ten minutes remaining, Warriors' Charlie Jeavons-Fellows was shown a yellow card after infringing at the breakdown as his side led by just three points.

Saracens appeared to grow in confidence but a brilliant defensive display from Worcester saw them shut out the away team who were throwing everything they had in order to grab the winning try.

But it was Warriors who bagged the final score when hooker Harrison dotted down from a maul with just seconds remaining and Forrester's conversion sealed a ten-point victory.

The win, which was Warriors' fifth in seven this season, ends another impressive campaign for the Under 18s who finished in fifth place overall for the second year running.

Warriors: Jake Leonard, Alex Bartley, Dion King, Ollie Lawrence (Lester 64), Christophe Fostier, Alex Forrester, George Hawkes; Kai Owen (Furnival 35), Cameron Harrison, Nick Rigby (Owen 55); Lawrence Weston (Thorneywork 52), James Scott; Tom Fawcett, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Ted Hill.