WORCESTER Warriors suffered their biggest defeat of the season as their Gallagher Premiership campaign hit a new low at home to Northampton Saints on Saturday.

Northampton's Ollie Sleightholme scored four tries himself as Saints racked up nine in total on what was Worcester's 12th straight league loss.

At half-time the visitors only lead 15-7 through tries from George Furbank and Sleightholme's first, either side of Chris Ashton's first Worcester try. Warriors dominated for large parts but couldn't capitalise and then hit the self-destruct in the second-half following Chris Ashton's red card with half an hour left to play.

Alex Mitchell scored a lovely try after a nice kick from Tom Collins five minutes after the break before Ashton received his marching orders for an illegal clear-out at the ruck with50 minutes on the clock.

The impressive Sleightholme scored again shortly afterwards as Saints grabbed the bonus-point score before they themselves were reduced to 14 after Teimana Harrison's yellow card for a high tackle on Worcester replacement prop Maks van Dyk.

But it didn't seem to halt the away side's momentum as Francis capitalised on Fin Smith's charged down kick to cross as Northampton went 7-34 ahead.

Three minutes later and they had their sixth as referee Andrew Jackson awarded a penalty try following Francois Venter's deliberate knock-on just a few metres out from his own line. He was adjudged to have denied a try scoring opportunity and Warriors were now playing with 13.

The flood gates had now well and truly been opened and David Ribbans added his name to the scoresheet after the Worcester midfield parted for him from 20 metres out.

Slieghtholme completed his hat-trick and scored his fourth inside three minutes as the clock wound down to 80 minutes before a late consolation score from Chris Pennell finished off the try fest.

Worcester are now seven points behind Gloucester at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table. They now have two weeks off before they return to face harlequins away from home.