Stanley delight at latest Academy crop

Warriors Academy Manager Andrew Stanley paid tribute to the latest generation of young stars at Sixways as they signed off the A League season with an entertaining 31-19 victory over Newcastle Falcons on Monday night.

A first half hat-trick from Matt Kvesic and second half brace from replacement Nat McDonald saw 14-man Worcester secure a bonus point on the final day of the A League campaign with a display packed full of attacking and vibrant rugby.

Stanley and Academy Assistant Manager Gary Meechan have seen the latest crop of players come through the ranks this season and reflected on a job well done on the final day.

“It was our last game of the season and last one at home so it was nice to go out on a winning note,” said Stanley.

“I’m pleased for the players. We have out a lot of effort in this year in the A League and have come off the wrong side of a few results. On another day we could have been a little bit further up the league than we are.

“All credit to the boys for putting the effort they did against Newcastle. It would have been easy for them to let their heads drop with the red card, but they continued playing which is really encouraging and weren’t inhibited at all.

“We got the rewards for that and Falcons struggled to live with the pace with which we played the game at times, we also demonstrated a really good level of skills which is very pleasing with all the work we do with the boys.

He added: “As everyone knows, we have had something of a golden generation with the likes of Matt Mullan, Miles Benjamin, Chris Pennell, Alex Grove and Tom Wood coming through.

“But there is another bunch of lads who are starting to put their hand up. Our objective is to get them pushing through into the first team ranks if possible.

“It’s great that we have a bunch of local lads who identify so strongly with the club, they want to pull on a Warriors shirt and play for the first team.

“We are looking to develop well rounded players and we have got that support from Mike Ruddock in the way he wants to see the game played.

“Over the last couple of months we have seen a little bit of easing off around the tackle law, more in favour of the attacking side, and that suits our style of play. The game has come back to us a little more and the game is better for it, as fans saw tonight.”

Stanley also paid tribute to back row ace Matt Kvesic who grabbed a memorable first half treble to set Warriors on the way to victory.

“Matt was grinning from ear to ear in the changing rooms afterwards and rightly so,” said Stanley.

“It is not often a forward get to scores a hat-trick, to score it first half as well was all the more pleasing – I can’t remember doing that much in my career!

“It caps off a special week for him after he turned 18 last week and also played for England Under 19 Academies.”


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