HOPPERS came close to staging a remarkable comeback in a high season match.

They were 24-6 down after just half an hour, having gifted Worcester with two of their four tries.

Hoppers struggled in the face of the wind, but Nick Bell landed two penalties to get them on the scoresheet.

Just before half-time Glyn Dewhurst finished off a well rehearsed penalty move for a try which reduced the arrears.

This was cancelled out with another soft try to the visitors at the start of the second half and it looked to be all over. However, Hoppers staged a remarkable recovery and for most of the half totally dominated proceedings.

Bell kicked his third penalty and Nick Booth and Alistair Christopherson finished off sweeping moves with unconverted tries to reduce the arrears to just five points with eight minutes left.

Worcester held their nerve, kept Hoppers at bay and right on time squeezed a push-over try to complete the scoring in a match full of good rugby.

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