THE Warriors' wings both ran in tries as a packed Sixways saw Worcester outplay Bristol with a fine display of expansive rugby.

Thinus Delport crossed in the first-half and Aisea Havili in the second, while the boot of Shane Drahm added the rest to overcome Bristol 24-15.

Bristol coach Richard Hill admitted Worcester's dynamic back play surprised him and, despite tries from flanker Joe El Abd and wing David Lemi, the visitors were always chasing the game.

Dale Rasmussen and Craig Gillies returned from injury and slotted straight into Worcester's starting line-up, replacing Ben Hinselwood and Richard Blaze.

There were no surprises from Bristol, the West Country side keeping the same team that hammered Leeds last week.

The game began furiously, with some big hits from flanker Kai Horstmann, before a clever Bristol kick-and-chase brought an early try-saving tackle from Thinus Delport.

Warriors' fly half Shane Drahm tried to settle the 9,726 capacity crowd with, first, a long-range drop goal, then a penalty, but both were wide.

Both sides crafted openings and the sin-binning of Bristol wing Brian Lima, for deliberately killing the ball, freed space out wide.

Coversion

A precise cross-field kick from Drahm and a simple loop put Delport in at the corner after 24 minutes. Drahm's touchline conversion made it 7-0.

Bristol missed their first kick at goal and desperate Warriors' defence kept the visitors at bay, before Bristol finally registered their first points, through a Jason Strange penalty, with 35 minutes on the clock.

It remained 7-3 at half-time and Worcester came out stronger in the second period, when a shrewd Drahm chip turned Bristol's defence and set up an easy penalty for 10-3.

The tempo raised a notch and, after Bristol centre Sam Cox was yellow-carded for using the boot on Andy Gomarsall, Worcester pressed home their advantage.

Dale Rasmussen -- enjoying his return after a knee injury -- and Nicolas Le Roux made good yards down the left, before the ball was spun right for Havili to slide in at the corner after 52 minutes.

The conversion slipped wide but the 15-3 scoreline was soon 18-3 when Drahm added a penalty.

A missed Worcester penalty and Cox's return from the sin-bin then halted the Warriors.

On the hour, Bristol flanker El Abd raced over after a number of players stopped, believing there was a knock-on. Strange's conversion made it 18- 10.

Matt Powell then replaced Gomarsall at the base of the scrum, Saosi Vaili came on for Horstmann and Drahm added another penalty, before Bristol rallied again.

Strange missed a penalty but quick hands from the Bristol backs put Lemi over. The missed touchline conversion made the score 21-15 with 10 minutes left.

A 45-metre Drahm penalty gave Worcester a 24- 15 lead and a last-minute Bristol kick fell well short, leaving the visitors empty handed.

The Warriors played with confidence and variety and repeatedly stretched Bristol's defence, allowing Drahm to control field position.

The return of Gillies and Rasmussen was key, but Le Roux, Havili and Delport were especially exciting.

Flanker Horstmann's tackling was impressive and up front Tevita Taumoepeau also got through some powerful work.

Warriors' director of rugby John Brain said the disruption of Bristol's line-out was crucial -- and he clearly enjoyed outfoxing his opposite number.

"It did make me smile when I heard Richard Hill said we would just stick it up our jumper for the first 25 or 30 minutes," he said.

"We had difficulty pulling away, but I think we thoroughly deserved to win.

"We dominated the game. We needed to turn that into points but the quality of some of the play was quite pleasing."