McCall: Frustrated despite win

And with key forward Schalk Brits carried from the field after suffering a clattering while making a tackle in the 18-6 win, there was initial anxiety for the former Springbok hooker.

McCall said: "Schalk Brits took a bang to the head. He has a stiff neck, but he's up and about. We are pleased that he's recovered quickly."

McCall accepted the four points and said: "It's frustrating because Worcester came down here to scrap and fight and credit to them.

"But they had 14 men in defence with one behind, and while we played some good rugby during the first half, we found them very difficult to break down."

Second-half tries by David Strettle and Brad Barritt settled the issue, while summer signing Charlie Hodgson added eight points from two penalties and a conversion, although he missed a further three attempts on goal.

"I thought Charlie Hodgson did very well on his first start, especially when you consider that he had no pre-season with us," McCall said.

"It takes a little while for a new player to get used to a team's style and Charlie is settling in very quickly."

Challenged on whether he agreed with Worcester's assertion that Barritt came up short when scoring the second try, McCall said: "I didn 't see that, but it was awarded by the referee and we get the points."

Worcester rugby director Richard Hill was adamant that Barritt did not score a legitimate try, but he was more interested in praising his side for their defiance.

"That was our best performance of the season so far, more physicality and commitment, and clearly the benchmark for the rest of the season." Hill said.

"We did not perform the way you need to in the Premiership at Gloucester last week but this was a big improvement.

"We are disappointed with the decision to award Saracens their second try because it wasn't a try.

"The players are hugely disappointed because they felt Barritt hadn't made the line and wanted the referee to at least consult the television match official. But you play to the whistle and you get on with it.

"But for that we could have taken home a losing bonus point. But I was very pleased with our defence, and had we just managed the final pass on occasions we could have put more points on the board.

"If you don't look like scoring then you become concerned. But we are creating chances and you know that sooner rather than later you will begin taking them.

"I am pleased with the work-rate. But we are conceding too many penalties. When you are away from home, particularly at the big clubs, you have to be whiter than white because home crowds get onto officials quickly at the slightest offence that they spot."

Having defended in depth for much of the first half, Worcester led 6-3 at the interval with a drop-goal and a penalty by fly-half Andy Goode to a penalty by Hodgson.

But Hodgson equalised two minutes after the break and Saracens broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when Hodgson and Owen Farrell created a try fior England wing Strettle.

Barritt's controversial score came on the hour when he smashed onto a flat ball and dragged two defenders with him to the line.

Referee Geraint Roberts peered into the pile before signalling the try and showed no interest in consulting the TMO.