Warriors boss Mike Ruddock praised his rock solid players as they blasted past GRAN Parma and put one step in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
Worcester ran in eight tries – with a hat-trick from star skipper Pat Sanderson – to dominate the Italians at a wet Sixways Stadium.
The result, combined with Montauban losing away to Bucuresti, put Warriors eight points clear at the top of Pool Two before next week’s reverse fixture in Parma.
But Ruddock was most pleased with the defensive show as Warriors shut the door on resilient Parma to bury the memory of the defeat at London Irish just six days earlier.
“I was very pleased, especially after I saw the weather forecast. Overall it was a very professional display,” he said.
“This was a competition that we fancied our chances of doing well in and so to record another victory is a real step forward.
“To score 50 points in this competition is a real achievement against a Parma side that made it difficult for us. But what was even more important was that we didn’t concede any points or tries after last week against London Irish, we put a big focus on defence this week.
“However, there is no doubt that the Guinness Premiership is a massive step up, this is the second tier of European competition. We have still got to push on and forward and put some these things into practice in the league.”
Rico Gear made an impressive debut and set up two tries as he delighted a big Euro crowd.
But Ruddock was also keen to hail the contribution of second half wing replacement Miles Benjamin who scored a stunning late individual try to showcase his talents.
“Miles scored a really fantastic try,” said Ruddock. “He is a real promising player and we have got some fantastic youngsters with guys like Chris Pennell, Matt Mullan and Jonny Arr coming though.
“With his try he showed the real potential that he has got, he is a great prospect for this club and with Rico Gear mentoring him the future looks bright for him.”