Bath stay in play-off hunt
Former Worcester winger Andrew Higgins returned to haunt his old club with a hat-trick of tries as Bath grabbed a bonus-point win at Sixways.
Last Updated: 14/02/09 6:02pm
Former Worcester winger Andrew Higgins returned to haunt his old club with a hat-trick of tries as Bath grabbed a bonus-point win at Sixways.
Despite the absence of 10 first-team regulars, including a host of backs who contracted a virus in midweek, Bath ran out comfortable winners after the hosts went into the break 14-10 to the good.
But Worcester's two first-half tries in the space of three minutes came against the run of play and the visitors were full value for their five points in an entertaining match, keeping them on target for a play-off spot.
South African fly-half Butch James booted Bath into a 10th minute lead and it was not long before Higgins intercepted a pass from Joey Carlisle, stepping out of a feeble Michael Garvey tackle to score.
James added the conversion to give Bath a 10-0 lead but they were stunned by two converted tries before the half-hour mark.
They turned over possession on the Worcester 22 and centre Loki Crichton launched a counter-attack, setting up Rico Gear to make ground down the right flank.
The former All Black wing drew Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolo and slipped the ball inside to Chris Latham, who went over unopposed.
Carlisle converted and then made amends for his earlier mistake by by opening up play for Kai Horstmann to make ground down the middle.
Prop Matt Mullan was hauled down before the line but the Warriors kept the ball alive and flanker Tom Wood sent Crichton over for a wonderful try, which Carlisle once more converted.
Bath remained committed to running the ball but frequently had to hand over possession for going off their feet at the ruck, and went into the break four points down.
However, they came back in determined mood and were back in front within four minutes of the restart.
A multi-phase attack stretched Worcester's defence and Higgins was able to dance over from barely a metre out, James this time awry with the kick.
The inexperienced visitors gained in confidence and extended their advantage in 57 minutes, Shontayne Hape galloping down the middle before drawing full-back Latham, allowing Maddock to go over unopposed with james adding the two points.
Willie Walker pulled three points back with his first kick of the match but missed a second kickable shot that would have pressurised Bath.
Instead it was the visitors who finshed the stronger and that man Higgins completed a glorious afternoon with an injury-time score with James maintaining his 100 percent kicking record to complete the scoring.
