WORCESTER Warriors took a firm grip on pool three of the European Challenge Cup by topping fifty points for the second consecutive week.

While the final score line in Romania was impressive, Warriors were made to work harder then they did in last week’s thrashing of Petraca. Worcester’s weekend was further enhanced by the Italians going to France and beating Bourgoin on Friday evening, thus giving Worces-ter a commanding lead in the qualifying group.

Warriors started at a fast pace in Bucharest, in perfect conditions, and Matthew Jones struck two penalties in the first 12 minutes, with the home side replying through full-back Vlaicu.

Rico Gear grabbed the first of two tries after a flowing move put him over in the corner but, out of the blue, home wing Jeff Makapelu chased a kick through and touched down in the corner with Vlaicu adding the two points to put Bucuresti within a point of the Warriors. Quick thinking by scrum-half Ryan Powell, who scuttled over from close range, gave Worcester some breathing space before the French referee awarded Warriors a penalty try after the home side pulled the scrum down three times.

With fly-half Matthew Jones converting both tries, Warriors led 25-10 at the break, but had been made to work hard against a big and stubborn Bucuresti pack.

The bonus point try came in an unlikely fashion when giant second-row, Craig Gil-lies found himself on the left wing and he raced over in the corner, before centre Sam Tuitupou bulldozed his way past the Bucuresti defence. Jones again converted to put Warriors well clear.

Makapelu ran in for his second score of the afternoon but Gear, approaching something like his best form, slipped between two tackles for his second try of the game.

Worcester rang the changes in the closing minutes and Joe Carlisle took advantage of some good work by lock Graham Kitchener for the final score of the afternoon.

Warriors will again be counting the walking wounded after several players including wing Miles Benjamin, Matthew Jones and flanker Tom Wood all limped off.

Warriors: Crichton; Gear, Grove, Tuitupou (Carlisle 71), Benjamin (Fellows 35); M Jones, R Powell, (M Powell 61): Mullan, Lutui (Page 64), Taumoepeau (Morris 57), Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood, (Kitchener 44), Cox, Talei.