Richmond women recorded their fourth consecutive half-century after scoring eight tries in their penultimate game of the season.

The victory means they leapfrog london rivals Wasps, whom they meet in the final round, to second place in the Premiership 1 table behind leaders Saracens.

Richmond have scored more tries than any other team this season and with their vastly superior points difference, a victory in three weeks' time would secure the runners' up spot for the second season running.

The visitors made the most of the unusually fine conditions at Worcester's Sixways stadium to record an early score as a crisp backline move put centre Nicki Drinkwater clean through the midfield and under the posts for fly half Alice Richardson to convert.

The first quarter passed without further scores as Richmond's execution failed to live up to their ambition.

Despite playing some impressive, expansive and attacking rugby, their lack of ball control combined with Worcester's solid defence kept them scoreless until the 23rd minute, when full back Claire Davies broke through to touchdown, making the most of Richmond's numerical advantage gained when their wing was sent to the sin bin for persistent offiside.

Eight minutes later Richardson added a try of her own to extend the lead to 17-0 at half time.

The second period, although still dogged with unforced errors, saw the Londoners rack up another five tries, with inside centre Jo O'Sullivan tunring in stand out performance.

When wing Chris Ovenden battled her way over to find the try line in her first game back for the first team all season after recovering from a knee injury, she was quickly followed by O'Sullivan, whose running lines and evasive footwork left the Worcester backs grasping at air as she started and finished a move that secured the five try bonus point for her team, with Richardson's conversion taking the tally to 29-0.

With flanker Laura Jenkins replaced due to injury and two further substitutions in the backs, Richmond kept the scoreboard ticking over with a further three converted tries in the last 12 minutes.

Jupp crossed for her second before O'Sullivan added a further two to secure a well deserved hatrick to take the final score to 50-0.

Coach Mark Francis said: "Despite the scoreline, this was not one of our best performances.

"We conceded 30 turnovers and against the better sides that could cost us 30 or 40 points.

"On a more positive note though, it's an indication of our potential that we were able to score 50 points against a good defensive side despite playing nowhere near our best.

"We have still got three weeks to prepare for our last game against Wasps and everyone knows we'll need to step up a level if we're to put in the performance we're capable of."

Richmond: Claire Davies, Chris Ovenden, Nicki Drinkwater, Jo O'Sullivan, Stacey Hollier, Alice Richardson, Harriett Slynn, Dawn Mason (captain), Emma Layland, Sharon Whitehead, Sara Anastasi, Clare Muir, Sam Cornborough, Laura Jenkins, Karen Jones. Replacements: Gail Russell, Nicky Meston, Lynne Cantwell