Academy Manager Andrew Stanley praised the spirit and ability of his Worcester Warriors A as they showed real resilience to battle back and almost snatch a dramatic victory over Northampton Wanderers on Monday night.
Worcester looked set for defeat on home soil as they trailed 35-10 to a Northampton side packed full of internationals and experience, with Bruce Reihana and Shane Geraghty on show.
However, tries from Niles Dacres, Louis Silver, Oriol Ripol and Sean McCarthy – with three in a final 15 minute blitz – saw Warriors roar back and come up just short in a thrilling Aviva A League encounter.
“It was a good comeback from where we were at half-time,” said Stan. “Gary (Meechan) and I told the boys at the break to get quicker ball and hold on for a little bit more, if we did that we felt we could trouble their bigger pack and create some miss matches.
“We could have done with a little more confidence in their own ability in the first half, which is often the case with younger players against more experienced names.
“But grew into the game and grew in confidence. Another five minutes in the game and who knows what might have happened.
“There are lessons to be learnt and it is still a defeat at the end of the day so we are disappointed. But we showed good spirit and ability,” he added.
“We come away knowing we will take a lot from that and can build on that performance. We will look at the tape and pick out areas that we can be better at.
“Even though we have lost there are plenty of positives. The boys will take some confidence from it. If we do more of the things we can do well more of the time we will overcome sides as good as Northampton.
“I hope the fans enjoyed the game and what we produced – sixty plus points for £3 is not bad value is it!”