Aviva Premiership: Easy win for Harlequins v Worcester at Sixways
Harlequins enjoyed a comfortable 37-13 victory at Sixways as hosts Worcester suffered a third consecutive defeat.
Last Updated: 20/09/13 10:51pm
First-half tries from England internationals Danny Care and Joe Marler left Worcester with a mountain to climb, but they could find no way back as Quins skipper Chris Robshaw dominated the close-quarter exchanges and repeatedly secured possession for his team.
Nick Evans chipped in with 14 points from the boot, and all Worcester could muster was two Ignacio Mieres penalties and a late penalty try that Mieres converted as their 37-13 reversal left them with just one point from three starts.
Three yellow cards during the opening 50 minutes did not help Worcester's cause, but they were outclassed by a slick Quins outfit as second-half touchdowns followed for hooker Rob Buchanan and full-back Mike Brown before substitute Ben Botica added a penalty in the dying seconds.
Quins had a bonus point safely pouched less than halfway through the second period, such was Worcester's defensive frailty, as the Londoners bounced back from last Friday's home defeat against Northampton.
They were never seriously troubled, with Worcester slumping to one of their heaviest home losses in the Premiership ahead of next weekend's Adams Park appointment with Wasps before hosting promoted Newcastle.
Quins, though, are up and running, keeping themselves in touch with the early Premiership pace-setters.
There are still plenty of rough edges for Quins rugby director Conor O'Shea and his coaching staff to smooth out, yet the Irishman will be largely satisfied with a start to the season that augers well for bigger challenges that lie ahead.
New rugby director Dean Ryan will know their discipline needs urgent attention, in addition to first up tackling that at times was not of Premiership standard.
Quins, with a livewire Care repeatedly probing openings, had far too much in the locker, while former England number eight Nick Easter - playing out of position at lock - delivered a workaholic display.