WORCESTER Cavaliers made it back-to-back maximum-point wins in the Premiership Rugby Shield as they defeated Sale Jets 41-31 at Sixways.

The young side led 26-14 at the break courtesy of two penalty tries and scores for Matt Cox and fit-again Perry Humphreys.

The Jets got right back in the game as they bagged four tries themselves to seal a bonus point but Nick David and Tom Howe went over to put the game beyond doubt despite Sale’s late consolation score.

Sale applied the pressure early on but their malfunctioning lineout allowed Warriors to clear and their first entry in their opponents’ 22 resulted in a try.

Cox barrelled his way over from close range after Carl Kirwan and Mason Tonks had made surges for the line.

With home pack firmly on top the referee’s patience was tested before he awarded Cavaliers two penalty tries in the space of five minutes.

Cavaliers were defending well but a loose pass saw wing Arron Reed intercept and sprint to the line.

The hosts soon chalked up another try in reply, though, as Ollie Lawrence found Cox who teed up Humphreys. The returning wing fended off a tackler before dotting down in the corner for the try-bonus point.

Sale came up against some dogged defence but they struck on the stroke of half-time with Sam Dugdale going over. Kieran Wilkinson added the extras.

The visitors applied more pressure soon after half-time as a Luke James break paved the way for Reed to score his second in the corner.

A piercing Nick David break saw him beat several men before crashing over as Cavaliers took a 31-19 lead.

But Jets propelled themselves back into the contest as replacement number nine Gus Warr squeezed over out wide.

The pendulum seemed to swing the way of the visitors but Worcester gave it their all to deny the Jets when they powered forward with their big pack.

And Gordon Ross’ men got a penalty in front of the posts which Luke Scully was able to slot over to make it a 10-point lead with under 10 minutes to go.

Cavaliers then put the game to bed as Cox set up Howe in the corner and Scully’s conversion made it 41-24.

Sale had the final say as Ford touched down but it was another successful evening for Cavaliers.

Cavaliers: David; Howe, Tonks, Lawrence (Walker 40), Humphreys (Burrows 40); Scully, Heaney (C) (Arr 30); Waller (Owen 40), Cutting (Spencer 75), Kerrod (Mudariki 50), Scott, Clegg (Goodman 40), Cox, Kirwan (Williams 40), Dodd (Williams 22-35).