Worcester Cavaliers were edged by Sale Jets in a game of two halves as they opened their Aviva A League campaign with a losing bonus point.
Sale opened the scoring early on with a Tom Morton penalty before Andy Short’s try put Warriors ahead.
But a converted interception try for Nick Scott and kicks apiece for Morton and Tiff Eden meant the hosts led 13-8 at the break.
Cavaliers dominated the second-half producing some flair in attack but they couldn’t find the whitewash.
Eden landed a long-range penalty while missing two kicks from difficult positions on the halfway, but despite their dominance, Worcester couldn’t convert pressure into points as Sale held on for the win.
Sale enjoyed the early exchanges in both possession and territory and were finally rewarded on 16 minutes when Morton slotted a penalty right in front of the posts.
But immediately after, Cavaliers made their way into the Sale 22 for the first time and after switching the ball wide, Short was the grateful recipient to go in untouched in the corner.
Eden couldn’t add the extras and then Morton was guilty of a missed opportunity as his penalty from 40 metres in front sailed wide.
But with Worcester then on the attack, Scott raced in for an interception try and Morton added the extras to open up a five-point lead.
Cavaliers ended the half on top and despite losing possession when camped on the five-metre line following a series of penalties, they were gifted another opportunity as Eden eventually chipped over three points to bring them within five at the break.
After the interval, young centre Will Butler spotted a gap with a tremendous run before shifting it to Josh Adams who was brought down agonisingly short of the tryline and Sale recovered possession to avert the danger.
Trialist Alex Glashan then found space as Cavaliers surged forward and some powerful runs from Max Stelling were causing Sale headaches – but Worcester couldn’t make their pressure count.
Cavaliers rang the replacements and the fresh legs seemed to be giving them real impetus as they searched for a score but it was a superb long-range penalty from Eden that brought them to within two.
Eden then went for another ambitious kick by the touchline on halfway but it dropped just short of the posts.
Cavaliers continued to be the dominant side, asking question after question at scrum time but again missed chances to convert territory and possession into points.
The pack won another penalty with ten minutes to go and Eden went for another ambitious kick from behind halfway and despite looking on the right line, the ball fell short of the goal.
Sale then made it down into the 22 to win a penalty with Morton allowed a chance at goal from 22 metres at the angle – but his kick dropped wide.
And the drama wasn’t done there as Cavaliers quickly stormed their way back into the Sale half.
Eden made a scything break before finding Jack Singleton, who in turn couldn’t find another Cavalier as Jets pinched back possession to see out the game.
Worcester return to action next Monday night at home to Northampton Wanderers at Sixways (kick-off 7.30pm).
Timeline
16m | Morton pen 3-0
20m | Short try 3-5
25m | Scott try 8-5
26m | Morton con 10-5
35m | Morton pen 13-5
40m | Eden pen 13-8
57m | Eden pen 13-11
Worcester Cavaliers | 15 Josh Adams, 14 Andy Short, 13 Max Stelling, 12 Will Butler, 11 Tom Biggs (Hearle 40), 10 Tiff Eden, 9 Alex Glashan; 1 Ryan Bower (Appiah 57), 2 Matti Williams (Singleton 45), 3 Biyi Alo (White 53), 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Christian Scotland-Williamson (Clegg 40, {Allsopp 69}), 6 Huw Taylor (C), 7 Zac Xiourouppa, 8 Matt Cox (Ripper-Smith 6)
Replacements | 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Derrick Appiah, 18 Joe White, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Sam Ripper-Smith, 21 Oliver Allsopp, 22 Josh Nott, 23 Alex Hearle