Worcester boss Mike Ruddock has branded his side's performance as "unacceptable" after a 37-18 defeat to Bristol.
Worcester boss left to rue "schoolboy errors" at Bristol
Worcester boss Mike Ruddock has branded his side's performance as "unacceptable" after they crashed to a 37-18 Guinness Premiership defeat to rock-bottom Bristol.
Bristol scored six tries in a Premiership game for the first time since March 2003 as they ran Worcester ragged at the Memorial Stadium.
The victory also cut the gap to nine points between Bristol and 11th-placed Worcester and, while they remain red-hot relegation favourites, it was a performance that delighted their head coach Paul Hull - and left Ruddock searching for answers.
"When we came back from 17 points down to 17-15 behind we looked in control and we looked confident," Ruddock said.
"I would have expected us to go on and nail the game from that position but the fact we didn't is a big worry for us.
"We beat Gloucester last week and then we didn't turn up for periods of the game a week later.
Hull impressed
"We made some schoolboy errors and we dropped our heads in the last 10 or 15 minutes, which concerns me.
"I have let them (the players) know how unacceptable that performance was but we've got to try and pick ourselves up and dust ourselves down, but the situation remains in our hands."
Worcester still have a game in hand on Bristol - they visit Harlequins on Wednesday - and Hull's men still require a minor miracle to avoid dropping into National League One for next season.
"We've had some improved performances lately and not actually finished it off and it was pleasing we played for 80 minutes today, not 45 or 50," said Hull.
"We just want to keep improving on our game-plan and we are doing that. You get your rewards if you keep improving.
"The only way we can get out of this hole is by carrying on playing with confidence. London Irish away will be tough opposition next Saturday but we will take it as it comes.
"All we have done is simplify the game-plan and given players a chance to express themselves in certain areas of the pitch. It is no magic wand."
