Saracens suffered their second consecutive Premiership defeat after losing 16-11 at Worcester Warriors this evening.

It had all started so promisingly for the defending champions after Michael Tagicakibau raced clear to get an early try. But a defensive mistake enabled Alex Grove to score under the posts and give the Warriors a 10-8 half-time lead.

Saracens went in front after the restart from an Alex Goode penalty but they were second best for the remainder of the contest as the boot of Andy Goode fired Worcester to a memorable scalp.

Goode made his 100th appearance for the Men in Black at Sixways. He was joined in the backline by Tagicakibau and Joel Tomkins in his first full Premiership game.

Number eight Ernst Joubert returned from an ankle injury to captain the side and veteran Hugh Vyvyan earned a rare start in the second row. Youngster Will Fraser also got an opportunity in the pack as one of five changes from the side beaten by Leicester Tigers.

The Men in Black were put under early pressure from the hosts but Sarries took the lead against the run of play. Andy Saull released Tagicakibau and the winger’s pace took him clear for his first try of the season. Goode’s conversion drifted wide of the target.

Sarries nearly scored a quick second try but Chris Wyles was bundled into touch. But the visitors earned a penalty in the next attack and Goode made it 8-0.

The champions were throwing the ball about nicely and again came close to another score but Saull was put into touch just before he reached the tryline.

Worcester earned a much-needed penalty after more than half an hour and Goode got the hosts off the mark.

The Men in Black were caught out on the stroke of half time as Schalk Brits’ clearance was charged down and the ball eventually fell to Grove who kicked the ball through and ran on to it to score. Goode’s conversion gave the home side an unlikely lead at the break.

Saracens regained the lead at the start of the second half when the Warriors conceded a penalty and Goode booted over the three points.

The hosts missed an immediate chance to reclaim the lead when Goode’s penalty fell just short of the posts.

Worcester enjoyed a good spell of possession and territory which eventually resulted in a penalty and Goode restored their lead with his kick.

Saracens were running out of time as the Warriors remained in control. Worcester were awarded another penalty but Chris Pennell’s attempt never threatened the posts.

The Men in Black were penalised again with 11 minutes remaining and Goode stretched their lead to five points.

Saracens pushed forward in the last few minutes in search of a second try but it was in vain as they suffered a setback to their hopes of finishing in the top two.

Worcester Warriors: Claassens, Pennell, Grove, Rasmussen, Benjamin, Goode, Perry; Mullan, Lutui (Shervington, 64), Taumoepeau, Percival, Jones, Betty, Abbott, Cowan

Saracens: Goode, Tagicakibau (Short, 50), Tomkins (Maddock, 75), Powell, Wyles, Mordt, De Kock (Stringer, 53); Smit (Gill, 53), Brits (George, 65), Nieto (du Plessis, 64), Kruis, Vyvyan (Sheriff, 53), Fraser (Wray. 76), Saull, Joubert

Scoring: 0-5, 0-8, 3-8, 8-8, 10-8 HT 10-11, 13-11, 16-11

Referee: J Doyle

Attendance: 10,101