Worcester 16 Saracens 11

Worcester secured the win that will surely see them safe in the Premiership for another season on a memorable night at Sixways.

The Warriors jump above Bath in the table to ninth as the result of a 16-11 win over Saracens - leaving them 14 points clear of basement side Newcastle. It was the reigning champions, though, who got off to a fast start with superb lines of running carving Worcester open at will. Hooker Schalk Brits was at his brilliant best in the loose, displaying handling skills more akin to a fly-half and it was only a matter of time before the home side's defence was breached. Great hands from the Saracens backs saw Michael Tagicakibau celebrate his first try of the season. Alex Goode converted. Saracens kept up the pressure and another raid, this time down the left flank, would have led to a try for Andy Saull had the flanker not been forced into touch by a last-ditch tackle. Worcester got a foothold in the game with a penalty from Andy Goode, but better was to come for the Warriors when Alex Grove went over for a converted try against the run of play on the stroke of half-time. Alex Goode added a three-pointer at the start of the second half to nudge Saracens back in front, but that was as good as it got for Mark McCall's men who failed to produce the same quality of performance in attack in the second period as they had done in the first. Joel Tomkins, who enjoyed a quiet first start in the Premiership, was then found guilty of being offside to hand Worcester another three points from the boot of Goode. Saracens produced a massive onslaught on the Warriors line in the closing stages, but two crucial turnovers - one from Goode - kept the visitors at bay.