Ruddock pleased with his troops
September 12 2009
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock reflected on "a reasonable start" to his team's Guinness Premiership campaign after Leeds were brushed aside at Sixways.
Warriors' 27-7 victory took them top of the table after fly-half Willie Walker kicked 17 points and centre Alex Grove and wing Marcel Garvey scored tries.
"We've had a reasonable start to the season," said Ruddock.
"We could have won at Northampton last weekend, and we've won tonight without hitting full throttle.
"It is nice to be top, even to be there fleetingly, but the most important thing was our performance.
"We needed to back up a passionate and energetic performance at Northampton last weekend, and that is what we did.
"It is a little bit disappointing we didn't press home our advantage in the last 20 minutes, but Leeds didn't give up. They are a tough bunch and they kept plugging away."
Leeds scored a slick first-half try through their former rugby league centre Jonny Hepworth, while ex-England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall used his vast experience to good effect, but Worcester ultimately proved too organised.
The visitors are now sweating on an elbow injury suffered by their skipper Marco Wentzel, who went off at half-time.
"We scored an early try and got off to a good start. Overall, we were pleased with the first-half," said Leeds head coach Neil Back.
"But Marco Wentzel picked up his injury very early, and it affected our set-piece.
"The message at half-time was clear - to do the basics better and minimise the mistakes - but unfortunately, three kicks and a try took them 24-7 clear.
"The positives are that we finished in the last 20 minutes really strongly - we had them rattled.
"But there is massive disappointment among the players because they know they didn't play to their full potential."