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LOKI Crichton's late try and conversion grabbed a losing bonus point as Worcester Warriors hauled themselves off the foot of the Guinness Premiership with a disappointing 10-7 home defeat to Harlequins.

After a bright start from Warriors, the visitors dominated possession and territory for long spells and the home side looked like they were going to get exactly what they deserved from the game - nothing.

However, director of rugby Mike Ruddock's tactical half-back switch to replace the disappointing Matt Powell and Shane Drahm with youngster Jonny Arr and Crichton after 69 minutes paid dividends as the Samoan crossed over with two minutes left.

With Leeds losing to Sale, at least Warriors go into 2008 out of the relegation zone.

Quins' early line-out looked confused, allowing Craig Gillies a simple steal of possession. The ball was set up after a strong Aleki Lutui drive and Powell's poor pass was punted downfield by Drahm. Rico Gear retained possession, but was run into touch and the visitors were able to clear their lines.

From a Quins line-out inside the home 22' after nine minutes, the visitors enjoyed their first spell of real pressure, but some powerful defence by the hosts repelled the threat.

An intelligent Chris Malone cross-field kick then isolated Marcel Garvey, but the Worcester wing fielded the ball well and Drahm was able to clear the danger. It turned out to be Garvey's last contribution as he limped off to be replaced by Miles Benjamin.

Worcester continued to defend for their lives and a huge Pat Sanderson tackle smashed Quins back several metres, but they managed to recycle the ball and create an overlap, which allowed second-row Chris Robshaw to dive over for the opening score.

A Lutui line-out throw went embarrassingly off target, giving Quins a scrum on the Worcester 10-metre line. The home front row brought the scrum down and, from the free-kick, Quins went on the attack again.

They were held up on the Worcester 22', but visiting hooker Gary Botha popped up at the ruck to charge over for his side's second try. Malone was off target with the conversion.

Quins should have extended their lead to 13-0 in the 28th minute but Malone sliced his straight-forward penalty well wide after the hosts had strayed off-side.

After Worcester conceded their second penalty for collapsing the scrum after the break, Ruddock opted to take prop Matt Mullan out of the firing line and replace him with the experienced Darren Morris.

In the 69th minute, Ruddock opted to switch his half-backs with Arr replacing Powell and Crichton coming on for Drahm at 10.

Soon after, to howls of anguish from the crowd, Arr took a quick tap-penalty in goal-kicking range, when a three-point score would have set Worcester up for the losing bonus point.

However, the jeers turned to cheers as the teenage scrum-half ran and set up fellow replacement Gavin Quinnell for the drive. Arr then recycled the ball back to Crichton, who cleverly chipped into space, burst through and touched down for the try.

The Samoan stand-off added the conversion as the Warriors sealed a valuable bonus point.

6:31pm Thursday 3rd January 2008

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