Chief pleased with professional show

Mike Ruddock admitted he was pleased with a ‘workmanlike and professional’ win over Newcastle – but claimed being expected to win had weighed heavily on his teams shoulders.

Tries from Chris Latham – a first on home soil – and Pocket Rocket Sam Tuitupou ensured Warriors claimed four points on a wet and windy night at Sixways Stadium.

The result ensured back to back wins for Worcester to fire them into more safety in mid table in the Guinness Premiership.

But Ruddock admitted his team had been given a tough ride by Falcons and had suffered under the favourites tag.

“It was a good win, a workmanlike and professional display,” he said. “We didn’t hit the heights but our defence was excellent for the majority of the night.

“We did well but we would have liked to have done a little better with our continuity and width.

“You have to give Newcastle credit, they pressurised us at the breakdown as they were afraid if we got quick ball we would do damage. They never looked like winning but battled hard.

“I felt there was an expectancy on us which we don’t usually get,” he added.

“Normally we are underdogs and battle to beat people. Suddenly on this occasion everyone expected us to win – that weighed heavily on our shoulders and we didn’t look as relaxed and fluent as normal.”

Warriors next travel to Saracens on Sunday (November 30) knowing a win could propel them even further up the league table.

But Ruddock insisted nobody in the Sixways camp would get carried away just yet.

“You never feel like you are out of the dark end because if any side picks up two or three wins it can all change,” he added.

“We are a million times better as a team than we were last year. Now we go to Saracens for another test and we can relax a bit more and look to play.”


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