WORCESTER Cavaliers slipped to a 13-11 defeat at Sale Jets in their opening Aviva A-League clash.

Wing Andy Short crossed for Worcester but the visitors trailed 13-8 at the break and couldn’t make their pressure count in the second period.

Sale enjoyed the early exchanges and were finally rewarded on 16 minutes when Tom Morton slotted a penalty.

But immediately after, Cavaliers made their way into the Sale 22 for the first time and after switching the ball wide, Short was the grateful recipient to cross in the corner.

Tiff Eden couldn't add the extras and then Morton was guilty of a missed opportunity as his penalty from 40 metres in front sailed wide.

But with Worcester then on the attack, Nick Scott raced in for an interception try and Morton added the extras to open up a five-point lead.

Cavaliers ended the half on top and Eden chipped over three points to bring them within five at the break.

After the interval, centre Will Butler spotted a gap with a run before shifting it to Josh Adams who was brought down agonisingly short of the tryline.

Trialist scrum-half Alex Glashan then found space as Cavaliers surged forward and some powerful runs from Max Stelling were causing Sale headaches - but Worcester couldn't make their pressure count.

Fresh legs seemed to give Worcester impetus as they searched for a score but it was a long-range penalty from Eden that brought them to within two points.

Eden then went for another ambitious kick by the touchline on halfway but it dropped just short of the posts.

The pack won another penalty with ten minutes to go and Eden went for another kick from behind halfway which dropped short of the posts.

Sale then made it down into the 22 to win a penalty with Morton allowed a chance at goal from 22 metres at the angle - but his kick dropped wide.

Worcester return to action next Monday at home to Northampton Wanderers at Sixways (7.30pm).

Sale opened the scoring early on with a Tom Morton penalty before Andy Short's try put Warriors ahead.

But a converted interception try for Nick Scott and kicks apiece for Morton and Tiff Eden meant the hosts led 13-8 at the break.

Cavaliers dominated the second-half producing some flair in attack but they couldn't find the whitewash.

Eden landed a long-range penalty while missing two kicks from difficult positions on the halfway, but despite their dominance, Worcester couldn't convert pressure into points as Sale held on for the win.

Worcester Cavaliers: 15 Josh Adams, 14 Andy Short, 13 Max Stelling, 12 Will Butler, 11 Tom Biggs (Hearle 40), 10 Tiff Eden, 9 Alex Glashan; 1 Ryan Bower (Appiah 57), 2 Matti Williams (Singleton 45), 3 Biyi Alo (White 53), 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Christian Scotland-Williamson (Clegg 40, {Allsopp 69}), 6 Huw Taylor (captain), 7 Zac Xiourouppa, 8 Matt Cox (Ripper-Smith 6)

Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Derrick Appiah, 18 Joe White, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Sam Ripper-Smith, 21 Oliver Allsopp, 22 Josh Nott, 23 Alex Hearle