Worcester fly-half Shane Drahm scored 17 points as the relegation-threatened Warriors recorded only their second Guinness Premiership win of the season.

Drahm outshone England hopeful Charlie Hodgson, landing four penalties, a conversion and a smart drop goal, as Sale suffered their first home loss.

Kai Horstmann scored the only try of the game early on after collecting Drahm’s cross-field kick.

And Drahm’s superb kicking stopped Sale from moving up to second in the table.

A second league win of the season against Worcester would have seen them leapfrog Bath and Leicester.

But it was not to be as a strong Sale side, including England stars Andrew Sheridan, Richard Wigglesworth and Mark Cueto, failed to sparkle without their injured talisman, New Zealander Luke McAlister.

Strugglers Worcester, who last won in January against Bristol, got off to a bad start, conceding an early penalty, with Sale number 10 Hodgson defying the weather to land the three points.

Hodgson, who again handed England boss Brian Ashton a timely reminder, was the catalyst for the Sharks’ next foray, taking advantage of a Sam Tuitupou error but his hack downfield bounced out.

An inspired Drahm sends over an excellent drop goal

Sale’s lead did not last long as Worcester skipper Drahm made an excellent break from his own 22, sidestepping the Sale pack and sprinting deep into enemy territory, before passing to Miles Benjamin who was smothered by Hodgson.

Worcester immediately regained possession and from a Drahm cross-field kick, wing Marcel Garvey challenged and Horstmann was on hand to dive over in the corner.

The ever-reliable Hodgson reduced the deficit with another penalty kick but Drahm soon made it advantage Worcester with a drop goal.

Sale’s forwards hit back with a period of consistent pressure and with referee Wayne Barnes indicating a penalty, Hodgson took advantage to land a much-needed drop goal.

Drahm restored Worcester’s advantage with another penalty just before the break as the Warriors took control.

Early in the second half, Drahm maintained his 100% kicking record with another penalty before Hodgson kept Sale in touch with an effort of his own.

Wigglesworth’s introduction after 55 minutes received the biggest cheer of the night as the newly-appointed England star looked to inspire Sale.

The Sharks’ attack was becoming static as they battled both Worcester’s stubborn defence and the elements and they clearly missed McAlister.

Hodgson kept the scoreboard ticking with another penalty to keep them within a point of the visitors but the in-form Drahm responded with another Worcester penalty.

Wigglesworth lifted Sale as he took control and almost masterminded a try - his quick break from a scrum saw Hodgson offload to Chris Bell but he could only knock on.

Drahm added another penalty to extend the Warriors’ lead on 76 minutes as Worcester sneaked home.

Worcester have pulled off a massive transfer coup by signing Australian international full-back Chris Latham.
 
The 32-year-old Queensland Red, regarded as one of the finest players in world rugby, will join the club next season on a two-year deal.

Worcester will also have the option of retaining Latham for a third year.

“At this stage of my life I feel it the right time to experience new things and to give myself fresh and challenging goals,” said Latham.

“I have enjoyed a wonderful decade of rugby with the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies.

“My family and I are really looking forward to moving to Worcester. I am very excited about playing in the Premiership for the Warriors.”

Latham’s switch to the Premiership will be a huge blow to new Australia coach Robbie Deans.

Latham, who appeared in all of his country’s World Cup matches this year, has won 78 caps and is the second-highest try-scorer in Wallaby history with 40.

The Australian Rugby Union, which earlier this year offered Latham an incentive-based, two-year contract to remain in the country, is expected to release him from existing contract obligations before the Wallabies’ 2008 end-of-year tour.

He will play a final Super 14 campaign next year with the Reds and his final Wallaby appearance is likely to be in the Bledisloe Cup decider against New Zealand next September.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Chris, the world’s best full-back, has decided to join us at Worcester,” Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

“His form in the 2007 World Cup was incredibly impressive and convinced me that he still has the ability, drive and ambition to continue to play top-class rugby for the next three years.”

Worcester fly-half Shane Drahm has been warned about his future conduct by the Rugby Football Union after his appearance in court earlier this week.

Drahm admitted assaulting a man in June and was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

The RFU had considered taking further action against Drahm under rule 5.12 which concerns “conduct prejudicial to the interest of the game”.

But the RFU said any further punishment would be “disproportionate”.

“The magistrates accepted that Mr Drahm was severely provoked by racist comments and that he only struck his victim once, albeit causing a wound which required 15 stitches and leaving an eight inch scar,” said His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, the RFU disciplinary officer.

“I have considered whether to take further action against Mr Drahm but I have decided that such action is not necessary.

“That is because of the circumstances of the case, the fact that Mr Drahm has already been punished appropriately through the criminal process, he has apologised publicly and I have no doubt that his remorse is genuine.

“In those circumstances, I believe it would be disproportionate to take any further disciplinary action.

“He has conducted himself impeccably after the incident and during the criminal proceedings and has thus done all he can to repair any damage to the image of the game.

“However, I have decided to warn him as to his future conduct and directed that this warning be recorded.”

Drahm, who has been with Worcester since 2005, was also ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation and costs.

New Zealand centre Sam Tuitupou will not be joining Worcester Warriors until December after breaking a wrist.

The 25-year-old was injured captaining Auckland to victory over Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup final.

He was expected to start his Worcester career in November, but his arrival date in England has had to be put back.

Tuitupou, who has been capped nine times by the All Blacks, has signed a deal that will keep him at Sixways until 2010.