Worcester Academy boss Andrew Stanley admitted the Warriors were ‘back in control of our own destiny’ in the British & Irish cup after a comfortable 34-11 victory over Plymouth Albion at Sixways Stadium.
Dale Rasmussen (2), Tom Arscott, Oriol Ripol and Nile Dacres grabbed the tries as Warriors secured a bonus point win in the cup.
Warriors remain in fourth spot in Pool A on 10 points but still have a game in hand on Cornish Pirates (17), Leinster (13) and Newport (11) ahead of the trip to Currie next month and final home game with Pirates.
Head of Skill Development and Academy Manager Stanley admitted the club’s progress into the quarter-finals was now in their own hands and praised the team for battling past a stubborn Plymouth Albion outfit.
“With the result from Newport, where Pirates got beaten, we are back in the mix and in control of our own destiny,” he said. “It now gives us every opportunity in this competition – if we are good enough to take it.
“We will travel up to face Currie next and with it being midweek means it is a short turnaround. It will be a mental thing as far as going up there and playing, but they won’t be easy at home and we will have to be on good form up there.
“I was pleased with the performance,” he added. “There was a sticky bit in the middle, either side of half-time, but respect to Plymouth. They are a difficult side to play against and they make things difficult with the way they defend.
“They are competitive up front and it is difficult to get quick ball against them. Fortunately for us we were able to do that on enough occasions and were clinical enough to put the tries away.
“They are a decent side and not many teams put points on them so we are pleased with the score.
“We were also pleased with the way our pack went. They produced some good ball for us in Leinster last week and did the same today to give the backs every opportunity to have a crack at the back line of Plymouth.”
Stanley was also pleased to see the likes of Will Radburn, Sean McCarthy, Mike Hill, Nile Dacres and Joel Dudley from the Academy ranks get more valuable game time.
“It’s competitive rugby and there was a large proportion of the Plymouth first team out the pitch. We have got a number of our younger Academy boys against them,” he said.
“It was a great mix with the young and older element. I have come out of the indoor training centre where Tevita Taumoepeau is scrumming down with Mike Hill and giving him a few tips. That is the kind of influence the senior boys have on the younger lads.
“Nile also got a try for us. He has done that a few times in the Aviva A League and he got that one after a nice break from Andy Short.
“We now move on and have now got Northampton Wanderers here on Monday night. A few of those boys may be called upon again. There is plenty of rugby to enjoy at the moment.”