Worcester coach Richard Hill was relieved his side ended their winless streak with a scrappy win over Northampton at Sixways.
Hill happy with precision after ending losing streak
Worcester coach Richard Hill was relieved his side ended their winless streak with a scrappy win over Northampton at Sixways.
No tries in the 12-3 win perhaps explained why both sides had been on losing streaks, but while Worcester ended theirs, Northampton's goes on.
The Warriors had failed to take advantage of a 15-3 lead against Quins last time out as they fell to a 17-15 reverse, but four penalties from fly-half Andy Goode were enough to make sure there was no repeat against the Saints.
And Hill felt an improvement in precision had made the difference between the two results.
"That was better," said Hill. "I am happier than I was at this time last week.
"We were much more precise, we had the same energy, physicality and effort going in as last week but the difference was we were more accurate. We have to learn to finish off our chances as you don't get many in the Premiership.
Precise
"There were probably three good scoring chances we failed to convert which would have killed the game off but last week we were 15-3 up against Quins and couldn't close the game out, this week we were 12-3 up against Saints and we held on."
Hill had spoken of his side's need to match Northampton in the close exchanges, and his pack did him proud as they put major pressure on Saints strong set-piece and carrying game.
"We had a good solid set-piece tonight, and our restart receptions were very good," Hill added. "Our scrummage was certainly very powerful and the line-out provided a good platform with Craig Gillies back to his best. They produced some really quality ball for our backs.
"It was a calculated gamble with Chris at number eight as he has not played there for a while, he has had a crash course this week as it is a completely different position to lock.
"He was carrying the ball well in the midfield and he enjoyed himself as a second row doesn't get the chance to do that, and he was all over the field."
Saints
The defeat extended Northampton's losing sequence to four games but boss Jim Mallinder insisted his side, whose only points came from a Stephen Myler penalty, had turned in a better performance than in their previous defeats.
"The performance was a lot better than it has been," he said. "We did some good things and created some good opportunities and we are disappointed to come away with nothing.
"The beginning of the second half was crucial as they had a good 10-15 minute period and put us under pressure with a couple of good drives.
"To lose Brian Mujati to the sin bin was disappointing and they took the penalties off that. It was a close game with the odd bounce of the ball and the odd refereeing decision making the difference."
