Worcester Warriors warmed up for the new season by turning on the second half style to sink determined Doncaster Knights 32-9 at Castle Park.

Director of Rugby Mike Rudd-ock selected a strong line-up for the pre-season clash, including Netani Talei who returned to his former club and new scrum half Ben Jones on the bench.

But it was the Knights who took a slender 9-8 half-time lead thanks to the boot of former Worcester player Jamie Lennard.

The home full-back confidently slotted three penalties in the opening half to punish any indiscipline by Ruddock's side.

Worcester, modelling their new red away shirt for the first time, scored the only try of the first half with New Zealand international wing Rico Gear, who looked a constant threat throughout the game, applying the finishing touches to a Warriors move for his first try of the season.

Fly-half Joe Carlisle was handed a starting spot and the youngster slotted a first half penalty as Worcester trailed by a solitary point at the interval.

Warriors finally clicked throu-gh the gears in the second half and any early season rust was blown away as powerful centre Dale Rasmussen crashed over for his first try of the campaign. Carlisle added the extras to put Worcester in front and in control.

The Warriors turned the screw as the match wore on playing an attractive brand of attacking rugby against a spirited home side who will be a real threat in National Division One.

Further Warriors tries came from impressive full-back Chris Pennell, who also showed his kicking prowess with a penalty, and wing Charlie Fellows who, a day after scoring at Twickenham, again demonstrated his try-scoring ability.

New fly-half Matthew Jones made a second half appearance and again showed his deadly boot could be a major weapon in the Guinnes Premiership this season as he converted both tries.

Worcester, who were playing under the new ELVs for the first time, continued to impress in the latter stages.

Not even losing Talei to the sin-bin could deny them a second half shut-out against their hosts as they wrapped up a confidence boosting win ahead of the new term.