WORCESTERSHIRE Saints first match of the 2003 TotalRL.com Rugby League Conference got off to the worst possible start with a 72-22 defeat at Bristol Sonics.

With several key players missing with injuries, the Saints were further weakened when transport problems prevented several players from travelling to Bristol.

Only 11 players from Worcester made the trip and although Bristol agreed to play with 11 players they had the advantage of being able to make substitutions.

Surprisingly it was the visitors who made the early running and they took the lead when Richard Whitehouse scored a penalty after only four minutes.

Poor defending from the home team then allowed Whitehouse to score the Saints first try of the season. The try was converted and Worcester led by eight points.

With the visitors applying all the pressure they came close to extending their lead on two occasions.

But the game turned after 18 minutes when Worcester lost Lee Goodyear to injury and the home team took advantage of having an extra player and scored their opening try.

Five further tries followed before Worcester replied just on half-time with a score from Steve Jones. The conversion was missed and the Saints trailed at half-time by 32-12

Bristol kept up the pressure straight from the restart and three tries were scored in the opening 10 minutes.

Worcester were further hampered by an injury to Whitehouse after 18 minutes which left him as a virtual passenger for the remainder of the match.

Five further tries from the home team followed as they reached the 70-point mark before Worcester salvaged some pride with tries from Richard Jenkinson and Grant Fraser.

While Bristol can celebrate their first ever victory the Saints will have to dig deep if they want to recover for the difficult trip to Gloucester next weekend.