A BRACE of tries from centre Dean Hammond and a superb kicking display from young fly-half Tiff Eden inspired Worcester Warriors to a winning 26-19 start in the British and Irish Cup at Nottingham.

Hammond burst through for Warriors’ winning try with just 10 minutes remaining of a hard-fought Pool Three match at Meadow Lane.

Eden, who turns 20 this week, gave a faultless display with his boot, kicking four penalties and two conversions in a match which appeared to be slipping away from a much-changed Warriors’ side.

Worcester trailed 16-10 at half-time and were 19-13 down after 54 minutes before Eden’s boot dragged the visitors back into the contest.

Nottingham’s Daniel Mugford profited from a strong set-piece to strike four penalties, including a couple of monster efforts from inside his own half.

Warriors struggled at the scrum for most of the match and Nottingham’s dominance in the pack was highlighted with visiting props Mike Daniels and youngster Jack Cosgrove both shown yellow cards.

But the visitors remained in the contest and Warriors grabbed the lead with 10 minutes left, ironically after the otherwise immaculate Eden had dropped the ball inside his own half.

Warriors won the resulting scrum against the head and a sweeping move, involving Perry Humphries, Ravai Fatiaki and Max Stelling, was finished off in the corner by Hammond.

Earlier, Warriors made a blistering start to the afternoon, opening their account in the second minute. James Stephenson launched the attack, taking an interception inside his own half before surging down the field.

Warriors recycled the ball well and switched it to the right with powerful running from Richard de Carpentier. The flanker used his strength and off-loaded to Humphreys who then slipped it to Hammond, who crossed in the corner.

Eden slotted the touchline conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

But Nottingham came back and used their driving maul to good effect. Warriors prop Daniels was yellow-carded for an infringement and Nottingham profited immediately.

Matthew Everard powered over the line from a driving maul and then Mugford kicked the conversion to level the scores.

Nottingham took the lead in the 21st minute with a long-range penalty from Mugford. The Nottingham kicker increased the hosts’ advantage soon afterwards with another penalty.

But Warriors responded and cut Nottingham’s lead to 13-10 after Niall Annett’s burst was stopped by a high tackle. Eden’s penalty sailed through the posts.

Nottingham restored their six-point advantage with another Mugford penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Eden gave Warriors a perfect start to the second period with a penalty in the first minute of the restart.

However, prop Cosgrove, who was given a torrid time at the scrum, was yellow-carded by referee John Meredith in the 51st minute and Mugford restored Nottingham’s six-point cushion with his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

But Eden kept Warriors in touch with his third penalty and he slotted his fourth soon afterwards to level the match.

There was still time for one final twist when Hammond finished off the best move of the match and Eden kicked the conversion.