WORCESTER Wanderers booked themselves a place in the fourth round draw of the EDF Energy Senior Vase with a fine 27-7 victory over higher-ranked Leamington at Sixways.

The hosts, who ply their trade in Midlands Four West (South) out-scored their Midlands Three West (South) opponents four tries to one.

Wanderers started strongly with the stiff breeze at their backs, but Leamington’s defence held firm, limiting the hosts to half-chances.

The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes when fly-half Dan Sparrey converted a penalty in front of the Leamington posts for handling in a ruck.

This seemed to spur Wanderers on, but the Leamington defence held firm.

Then, with the game seemingly drifting to half-time, Wanderers turned the ball over in the Leamington 22 and surged forward towards their line where Jake Saddington crashed over for the opening try, which went unconverted.

Playing with the elements after the break, Leamington took the game to Wanderers, but the home team’s defence was resolute.

Following several phases of play in the Leamington 22, Dave Merlin, making his debut, muscled over the line on the far left. Sparrey converted from the touch-line to give Wanderers a 15-0 lead.

From the restart, Wanderers kept the ball in hand and stretched the Leamington defence.

Ally McLaughlin was held up metres out, before Merlin and Mike James combined well to keep the movement flowing, but a Leamington player slapped the try-scoring pass to the ground from an off-side position. He was duly sin-binned, but Sparrey missed the resultant penalty.

Wanderers retained possession from the 22 drop-out and went through several phases, which led to a two-man overlap on the right and Alex Wilkinson had the easiest of touchdowns. Sparrey converted from the touch-line.

Leamington kicked off to the open side where the ball was well taken by Tom Muir, who put a deft kick into the visitors’ 22.

From the line-out, Wanderers’ pressure led to turnover ball.

Finally, the ball was moved right where prop forward Tom Ryder was lurking to take the scoring pass. Sparrey missed the conversion.

Wanderers lost Steve Brookes to the bin for not rolling away at the ruck and Leamington were only denied a try thanks to a last ditch tackle from Saddington.

Late in the game, the Leamington centre burst through for a converted consolation try.