As Daniel Browne dived under the posts in front of the hospitality boxes in the 69th minute for his first try for his new club, and Bath's fourth of the afternoon, he joined Michael Claassens and Jack Cuthbert as Premiership debutant try scorers for Bath Rugby. 

With the score at 29-10, following Shaun Berne's conversion, and ten minutes left on the clock one could have been forgiven for thinking the home side were cruising. However, despite dominating the first half, Bath struggled to gain possession and territory for much of the second period but Worcester failed to make the most of their possession and Browne's score was only accompanied by a Berne penalty in the second forty minutes for the home side.

Things were very different on the first half and the three Bath tries were just reward for some exciting play from both forwards and backs. There is no doubt that Michael Claassens has speeded up play, he was quick to every breakdown and got the ball away to his backs like a bullet from a rifle. It was no surprise that he should have been on hand to score the first try. 

Support for the scrum-half from both Ryan Davis and Shaun Berne was excellent and it was interesting to see them regularly offer Claassens the option of both acting as stand-off to either clear from defence or attack the Worcester line (which they did with gusto throughout the first half).

I have to make comment about the ball handling skills of the Bath players, it was top quality. They threw the ball hard at one another to speed up play (no Cattyesque long loops) and constantly placed it in front of the receiver so he could run on without breaking stride: it really was a joy to watch. 

Nick Abendanon made a couple of his (now) trademark elusive runs and Ryan Davis too looked slippery in the tackle and several times dipped so low to avoid an opponent the sleeves of his shirt had grass stains across the top.

Last week I criticised the backs for "basket-ball style play", there was none of that this week. This was a good display and I really enjoyed the game. I hesitate to make the comment that this was a team made up of new players and youngsters because that suggests there should be a qualifying "but" somewhere, but I was convinced before the match that we would do well do win by one point. Shows what I know!

Martin Purdy looked strong in the second row, as did Short, and the newcomer set up Pieter Dixon for a beautifully angled cross-field run following an accurate line-out and the hooker was stopped just short of the line. Lee Mears will do well to regain his place after the World Cup.

But it was Worcester who opened the scoring with a penalty for Bath being caught offside. Four minutes later Bath got a penalty of their own but instead of opting for the goal posts they kicked for touch well inside the Worcester twenty-two. From the line-out, the ball was moved wide to the left wing where Matt Banahan stepped inside his defender, fed Shaun Berne who dipped his shoulder to break the line before off-loading to the ever-present Claassens who ghosted in past his colleague to score.

Eleven minutes later Bath scored their second try after Claassens fed Cheeseman from a scrum in front of the Worcester posts. The Big Cheese managed to off-load the ball despite a high tackle and Jack Cuthbert scored in the corner. Berne missed the touchline conversion.

Martin Powell reminded the Bath players that this would be no easy win as he ran straight through a line-out to score Worcester's first try after 28 minutes. Despite the home side domination of territory and possession they suddenly found themselves just two points ahead.

However Jack Cuthbert gave Bath some breathing space with his second try of the game. Once again from a set piece Bath moved the ball quickly across the backs, one way and then another and eventually the ball found its way to Cuthbert. This time Berne managed to slot his wide kick home and the half time score was 19-10.

The second half was a much closer affair with Worcester controlling the majority of the third quarter. However they couldn't turn possession in to points and it was Bath who first troubled the scoreboard with a penalty from Berne and fourth try from Browne. A later try from Delport was almost matched at the end by a score for the visitors in injury time but a flying Matt Banahan shot across the field to snuff out the threat. Great tackle mate!!

What a great start to the season. All I need is to see Bristol lose and my weekend will be perfect.

Well done the Bath players and well done the coaching staff.

Referee: M Fox