Warriors Under-18s warmed up for next week’s National Centre of Excellence Festival at Malvern College with a 31-19 victory over a strong Leinster side at Sixways.
Warriors scored five tries in an impressing attacking display but their physicality in defence frustrated their Irish visitors and also impressed Academy Backs and Transition Coach Jonny Goodridge.
“It was a really pleasing first run-out for this group,” Goodridge said.
“I was really impressed with our physicality in defence and our energy and work-rate.
“The younger players who have come up from the Under-17s looked really comfortable and the Under-18s who were with us from last season showed some real improvements.
“Both our Under-17s and Under-18s will be involved in the Malvern Festival on August 12 and we can hopefully see more improvements there to go into our first fixture in the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League full of confidence.”
Number eight Zak Armstrong (Bromsgrove School) got Warriors’ opening try with a powerful carry after a charge-down.
Malvern College wing Cam Smith then followed up his own chip and chase for a brilliant try after quick hands along the backs.
Another good build up was finished by full-back Jack Kinder (Solihull School) who powered over in the corner before Hartpury College wing Ellis Dean-Smith showed his paces when he raced clear after a good first-phase attack from a scrum.
Frankie Jeffries, a fly-half from Malvern College, completed the try-scoring when he picked a gap in Leinster’s defence after a sustained attack close to the line.