A CLINICAL second half showing saw Worcester Cavaliers secure a five-try 32-6 victory over Wasps at Sixways.

But their first win of the Premiership Rugby A-League campaign was marred by an injury to returning flanker Carl Kirwan.

The 26-year-old took to Twitter before the match to express his delight at being back on the field after “11 months and four surgeries”.

But the back rower was forced off with a shoulder injury five minutes after the break and now looks set for another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

Academy backs development coach Gordon Ross said: “Carl has had a really tough time and played exceptionally well until he took his bang.

“I don’t know how bad it is, but that was probably the worst thing about the match from the club’s point of view.

“You don’t want to see things happen like that, especially to somebody like Carl who has worked so hard to get himself fit.

“In the last few months he has worked really hard on his skill set to improve and we have seen that in training. He has been hungry and led the pack well.

“We all feel for him at the moment. Hopefully it is not too bad.”

Hooker Matti Williams also suffered an injury to his hand on a night where Cavaliers put Midlands rivals Wasps to the sword.

An Alex Hearle try gave the hosts a 8-6 lead at half-time before Worcester scored 24 unanswered points.

Dean Hammond bagged two tries in a superb performance while Michael Dowsett and Huw Taylor also crossed the whitewash.

Ross added: “I am delighted as that group have had a couple of tough fixtures so far and their effort and endeavour hasn’t always paid off.

“But it was great to get that reward for their second half. It was a really good first half and we weren’t quite clinical enough.

“But I thought the way we imposed ourselves in the game physically meant that Wasps were pretty fatigued in the second half.

"We ran in some really good tries and the boys enjoyed it which was good to see as well.

“You want to give the club as much momentum as possible.

“The boys put a good shift in at Connacht in difficult conditions and it was great to see so many youngsters put their hands up and show how much they care about the club.”

Summer signing Andrew Durutalo made his first run out for the club while Bryce Heem made his comeback from injury.

Sam Olver’s early penalty was cancelled out by a three-pointer from Connor Eastgate before Cavaliers scored their first try on 27 minutes.

Tighthead prop Biyi Alo smashed his way forward before Olver set up Hearle who went over in the corner.

After Olver missed an easy chance in front of the posts, Eastgate got Wasps within two points of Cavaliers with a long-range penalty.

But the home side found an extra gear in the second 40 minutes.

Moments after Kirwan went off injured, Olver’s crossfield kick found Hammond who eased through to score.

Warriors’ under 18s ace Ollie Lawrence made a big impact in the second period as he broke on halfway before sending Dowsett on his way for a try under the posts.

Olver added the extras to move his team 22-6 in front.

Worcester were playing with confidence and clinched the bonus point on 65 minutes when Taylor touched down from a driving maul.

In the final play of the match, Cavaliers rounded off the win with a second try for Hammond who was teed up by Lawrence.