LIVE updates from our man at Sixways, Geoff Berkeley, where Worcester Warriors begin their pre-season preparations against Ospreys.
The live update has now finished.
MATCH SUMMARY: Worcester Warriors got their pre-season preparations off to the perfect start as they swept aside Ospreys at Sixways.
Sam Smith set the hosts on their way with a try inside the opening minute before Nick Schonert and Ben Howard crossed to seal a convincing win. Thanks for following.
Attendance: 3874
FULL TIME: Worcester Warriors 23-6 Ospreys
76min – Worcester closing in on a fourth try to wrap up the victory. This time, though, James Percival is stopped short of the line.
71min – Concern for Warriors as Dean Hammond is replaced after appearing to take a knock to his ankle. Josh Drauniniu comes on in his place.
-Talented youngsters Tiff Eden and Christian Scotland Williamson among the players to have come off the bench. Mike Daniels, Dan George and Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier have also been brought on.
60min – Warriors really in the ascendency now as they look to hammer home their advantage and put the game to bed.
More on try: Best try of the evening as Ben Howard finds some space on the left and makes the most of it. The full back sprints through before easing over the line and dotting down under the posts to leave a simple conversion.
52min – CONV – Worcester Warriors 23 – 6 Ospreys – Ignacio Mieres
52min – TRY – Worcester Warriors 21 – 6 Ospreys – Ben Howard
More on try: Warriors’ forwards power towards the line, forcing their opposite numbers back with ease before Nick Schonert crashes over the whitewash.
45min – CONV MISSED – Ignacio Mieres’ effort just falls short.
44min – TRY – Worcester Warriors 16 – 6 Ospreys – Nick Schonert
41min – Another lightning quick start from Warriors as Dean Hammond sprints down the left. But this time, the visitors’ defence holds firm and forces an error from their opponents.
-Second half underway.
FIRST HALF SUMMARY – A great start from Warriors as new signing Sam Smith scored inside the opening minute. Ospreys came back with two penalties from Sam Davies and threatened to take the lead at half time.
But with the last kick of the opening period, Ignacio Mieres gave Worcester a five point cushion, which they will be looking to extend in the second half.
HALF TIME – Worcester Warriors 11-6 Ospreys
40min – PENALTY – Worcester Warriors 11-6 Ospreys – Ignacio Mieres
36min – The Welsh side spurn a chance to take the lead just before the interval. After great work from former Warriors centre Josh Matavesi, who wriggled his way out of a couple of tackles, full back Dan Evans dropped the ball when attempting to touch down under the posts.
30min – Ospreys currently on the front foot as the match enters the final 10 minutes of the opening half, with Warriors holding a slender lead.
21min – PENALTY – Worcester Warriors 8-6 Ospreys – Ignacio Mieres
18min – PENALTY – Worcester Warriors 5-6 Ospreys – Sam Davies
12min – Warriors looking dangerous as Andy Symons makes a superb run down the middle. But the hosts miss the chance to extend their lead as Niall Annett knocks on with the try-line at his mercy.
9min – PENALTY MISS – Sam Davies puts it wide, so Warriors still lead.
5min – PENALTY – Worcester Warriors 5-3 Ospreys – Sam Davies
1min – CONV MISS
30secs – TRY – Worcester Warriors 5-0 Ospreys – Sam Smith
KICK OFF
The two teams have made their way out and we’re underway at Sixways.
-A number of new faces in Warriors’ side, including signings Sam Smith, Charlie Mulchrone, Ryan Bower, Niall Annett, Nick Schonert and Matt Cox. The likes of Dan George, Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier and Heath Stevens will be hoping to make an impression off the bench having also arrived in the summer.
– Here are today’s starting line-ups
–Warriors: Howard, Smith, Stelling, Symons, Hammond, Mieres, Mulchrone (C), Bower, Annett (VC), Schonert, Williams, Sanderson, De Carpentier, Betty, Cox
Replacements: George, Ruskin, Daniels, Percival, Scotland-Williamson, Bruzulier, Eden, Fatiaki, Stevens, Drauniniu, Smith (jnr)
–Ospreys: Evans, Grabham, Spratt (c), Matavesi, Dirksen, Davies, Habberfield, Thomas, Parry, Arhip, Peers, Bernardo, King, Lewis, Bearman
Replacements: Dyer, Jones, Griffiths, Beard, Cracknell, Evans, Allen, Roberts, Bishop, Fussell
Welcome to Sixways where a new-look Warriors will be looking to hit the ground running in their first pre-season game against Opsreys. To see team news ahead of the clash click here.