Worcester Warriors skipper Pat Sanderson admitted his team were desperate to win the European Challenge Cup for the fabulous Sixways faithful after victory over Brive.
Sanderson was among the scorers as Warriors secured a last four spot at the expense of the French side.
And he admitted afterwards the entire squad were determined to keep the cup run going to repay the work of Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock and the fans at Warriors.
“Mike Ruddock has been pushing that brand of rugby ever since he came here, we owe it to him and we also owe it to the fans to keep going in the cup,” he said.
“We have had some big blows this year and it’s nice really to have some highs – it’s a big focus for us there is still something to play for which we are delighted about.
“It’s nice to get some tries and show the warm weather is starting to suit us a bit. We can come into some form now and Heineken Cup qualification is well on the cards.
“Bourgoin will be hard – we have been there one this year already and it’s a very hostile place to play.
“But we know the size of the challenge ahead of us. The boys are rising to it and we take a lot of from this victory.
“We have been to the final and we believe we can go back again. We are finding some form and the weather is coming for us, we have some great dry weather players here.”
Ruddock was also full of praise for his skipper who was named man-of-the-match for his stunning contribution to victory.
“Pat Sanderson was excellent, he does all the unseen work, the battle in the breakdown and the contest for the ball is his game,” said Ruddock.
“He got the ball in hand on quite a few occasions and was taking ball off them and running away.
“Pat showed his all-round game and it is great when he leads from the front, he lifts everyone around him.”