WORCESTERSHIRE Saints suffered a 64-18 home defeat against leaders Hemel Stags in the totalrl.com Rugby League Conference.

But the Saints can look back with pride on a performance that had their illustrious opponents reeling on the back foot for half of the match.

The Stags who had started the season as favourites for the title were taken aback by the level of commitment from a Worcester team that were determined not to repeat their early season mauling away at Hemel Hempstead.

And it was no surprise when the home team took the lead in the sixth minute when Kenny Hadley playing his first game of the season scored close to the post after a period of Worcester pressure.

Richard Whitehouse converted the try and the home team went further ahead when man of the match Marcus Whyte scored again. Whitehouse took the extra points and Worcester led 12-0 with only 20 minutes gone.

John Mason brought the visitors back into the match with two tries in four minutes, and with half-time approaching Worcester were desperate to hold their lead, but with the referee checking his watch Gareth Martin scored, the try was converted and Hemel led 16-12 at the interval.

Shaken out of their first half complacency the visitors started the second half determined to stamp their authority on the match and they responded with three tries in the opening nine minutes.

Dave Thomas came close to scoring for Worcester before the Stags moved further in front with their fourth try of the half.

With the game beyond them Worcester were only playing for pride and they responded with a try from Richard Jenkinson. Whitehouse duly converted but any thoughts of a comeback were quickly dispelled as the Stags responded with three further scores.

Saints, who started with only 15 players, lost Leon Jammal and Neil Gulliver to second-half injuries and with the home team tiring the Stags took full advantage to score three injury-time tries in succession to finish with a scoreline that certainly flattered the visiting team.

Saints: A. Jenkinson, Holmes, Thomas, Jammal, Frasier, Whitehouse, Spafford, Whyte, R. Jenkinson, Hadley, Gulliver, Laishley, Robson. Replacements: Cooper, Smith.