Mike Ruddock described Alex Grove's first Premiership start as "a dream debut" following Worcester's win over Wasps.
Warriors boss delighted with "dream debut"
Worcester coach Mike Ruddock described centre Alex Grove's first Premiership start as "a dream debut" after the youngster touched down in his side's 13-12 win over London Wasps at Sixways.
Grove intercepted a flick-pass from Mark van Gisbergen and also featured prominently in an outstanding defensive display by Worcester.
However the highlight for Ruddock was the crunching tackle the 19-year-old put on England international Josh Lewsey.
"His man-of-the-match award was thoroughly deserved," Ruddock said.
Critical
"Alex made breaks, he tackled really well and his tackle early on against Josh Lewsey really lifted our team; we thought if a youngster could do that to an international we all had to get behind that effort and tackle that way.
"It was a critical moment for us and people really followed suit from there on. He got a try and it was a dream debut for another youngster from our academy coming through and doing well."
Wasps have never won at Sixways and their latest defeat came with director of rugby Ian McGeechan and head coach Shaun Edwards unable to attend due to international commitments.
That left assistant coach
Leon Holden and part-time coach Tony Hanks to form a makeshift staff.
"If they could have got here it would have been a nice bonus," Holden said. "Everything was explored and everything was tried.
Wasps delay
"If we had won no-one would have been asking why they were not here.
"We have had situations before with coaches not being here. Our preparation was the best it has been all season so we can't use that as an excuse."
Hanks also played down suggestions that Wasps' arrival at Sixways barely 45 minutes before kick-off was down to further travel problems.
"We got here about 50 minutes before kick-off as planned so nothing went wrong with our trip down and preparation," he said.
"In the first half we played some great rugby but failed to capitalise on some
of the opportunities we created."
