WORCESTER Wanderers recorded an excellent 11-9 victory against a physical Old Laurentians side in Midlands Two West (South).

Possession, territory and points were hard to come by as both sides felt the pressure in the opening exchanges.

It was honours even in the set scrum, but Wanderers’ line-out was scrappy.

Old Laurs went into the lead with a well-taken penalty from their fly-half, who kicked intelligently all afternoon.

Wanderers enjoyed some continuity and, following a penalty award within goal-kicking distance, elected to kick to the corner. A well-executed line-out led to the evergreen Dave Merlin crashing over in the corner for what proved to be the game’s only try. Ned Anderson missed the conversion.

The contest reverted to a midfield tussle as both sides tried and failed to take control.

A Wanderers infringement gave the visitors an opportunity, which was duly accepted by their fly-half.

In the second-half, Wanderers had the wind at their backs, but solid defence and a host of unforced errors from both sides led to a scrappy affair.

The deadlock was broken by an Anderson penalty to edge Wanderers into the lead.

Wanderers couldn’t manage to pull away, though, and Old Laurs took advantage of another soft penalty to take the lead.

However, the hosts came back again to earn a penalty, which was dispatched by Anderson, to take what proved to be a decisive lead.