A WEAKENED Worcestershire Saints put up a brave but ultimately futile performance as they suffered a 62-26 defeat at the hands of Gloucester Warriors.

Already without five players from last week's clash with the Hemel Stags, Worcestershire were soon further depleted by the non arrival of one substitute and the early injury to Levin Widmer.

Saints however made light of their disadvantage and started the match looking the stronger and were re-warded with an early Richard Whitehouse try after three minutes.

Whitehouse converted the try, but straight from the re-start the Warriors levelled the score with a converted try of their own.

Converted

Gloucester then took the lead on 16 minutes with a second converted try and they moved further in front four minutes later.

The Saints became rather disjointed with the temporary loss of three players and Warriors took full advantage to score four further tries.

As half time approached Jason Spafford reduced the points difference to 38-10 with his first try of the season.

Worcestershire continued to show plenty of spirit and battled back toscore two converted tries in the space of three minutes.

The first came from Matt Scarfe who went in under the posts and the second, an 80 metre solo effort from Steve Holmes, came after he intercepted a loose Gloucester pass.

Three further tries followed as the Warriors passed the 60-point mark but Steve Holmes had the last word for Worcestershire, scoring in the corner just on the full time whistle.