WORCESTER Warriors fell to a 23-17 defeat in their pre-season encounter with lower-ranked Jersey Reds despite a late comeback at St Peter.

Cooper Vuna gave the Premiership visitors a first-half lead but a Joe Buckle try with eight points from the boot of Jack Cuthbert saw Championship side Jersey lead 13-5 at the break.

Lewis Robling and Kieran Hardy added scores for Jersey after the interval as they looked set for the win.

But Vuna strolled in for his second before some superb footwork saw Andy Short race in under the sticks with Ryan Lamb converting.

With five minutes to play and just six points in it, a tense finish ensued but the hosts held on for victory on a blustery day.

Warriors had to play against the wind in the opening period, which made conditions for kicking difficult.

Worcester's first XV are next in action at Munster on Friday night in their final pre-season encounter before the new campaign.

A development XV take on RGC 1404 at Sixways on Wednesday evening.

Warriors: Howard (Humphreys 40); Short, Te'o, Willison, Vuna; Heathcote (Lamb 57), Arr (Baldwin 51); Leleimalefaga, Bregvadze (Annett 53), Johnston, Cavubati (O'Callaghan 57), Scotland-Williamson (Barry 51), Dowson, Kirwan, Faosiliva (van Velze 53). Other replacements: Bower, Daniels, Olivier.