Head Coach Richard Hill praised the intensity and attitude of his Warriors as they secured what he dubbed a ‘pivotal win’ over local rivals Gloucester Rugby in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways.
Replacement Andy Goode helped turn the tide as his super try just five minutes after coming onto the field and further length of the field stunner from ex-Gloucester man Marcel Garvey secured a massive 21-15 win.
Hill heaped praise on his team after the win in front of a huge sell-out crowd of 12,024 and insisted the Warriors were now looking up the table after a fourth win in five games in all competitions.
“It was a pivotal win for us and we can start moving up the table,” he said. “The intensity was good, the pace was good and the attitude was superb.
“The first half I thought we had the better of it. I felt our scrum was formidable and we had to have that right against Gloucester.
“It was an awesome display by the forwards and the only disappointing thing was we had half a dozen set pieces in attack and failed to take advantage.
“We knew we had to start the second half with a bang and keep up the pace and intensity – we were not going to lose on this ground. In 2012 we want to make sure this place becomes a place where supporters expect us to win.
“We defended very well. We looked at the way Gloucester play and with wide players, but I thought the likes of Dale Rasmussen and Alex Grove defended so well.
“But it wasn’t just about the defence. We did well against their scrum, driving maul and three-quarters, but it was also about us playing some better rugby.
“To score two tries was more than we have done for a while and Marcel’s was exceptional to go the length of the field – it brought the roof off this place!
“You could see the late try from Gloucester coming, you think for a minute that maybe we could miss out. But you could see from our players the attitude and determination was there, they were not going to let this go.”
The result also secured long overdue back-to-back win for Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.
“It’s good to knock a few monkeys off your back,” added Hill. “Last week we won an away Aviva Premiership game for the first time in a few years and now we have won back-to-back league games.
“It’s all about building confidence and on these wins. With Newcastle losing, we can genuinely start to look up as opposed to down.
“The squad has been very good at not panicking about relegation, although it is on your mind.
“We put the table up before the game and looked at Bath as the next target. Last week it was Wasps. We have always looked up and today will give us a massive boost.”
Worcester are next in action against Banca Monte Crociati at Sixways on Saturday and Hill revealed he would now take some of his players out of the firing line.
“Some of them will get a break now – the good ones,” he smiled. “Around eight will get a break and I will put a few different ones in next week against Parma.”
“To score two tries was more than we have done for a while and Marcel’s was exceptional to go the length of the field – it brought the roof off this place…"