Ruddock praise for players

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock paid tribute to his players after they battled back from 13-3 down to draw with Newcastle.

Warriors boss delighted with comeback draw

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock paid tribute to his players after they battled back from 13-3 down to draw with Newcastle. Both sides remain in the relegation mire but Rudduck believes the character his players showed at Kingston Park will stand them in good stead for the second half of the campaign. "We were very disciplined and I was very pleased with the character we showed at the end when Newcastle were coming at us," Ruddock said. "We needed to get something out of the game and to come back from 13-3 down to get a draw is a real plaudit to the players. "We stayed calm and composed and showed great character. Hopefully, we can keep playing like that and move up the league. I thought both sides contributed to what was a full-blooded Premiership encounter." Opposite number Steve Bates was left to reflect on what might have been as the Falcons missed the chance to put some daylight between themselves and Bristol at the bottom. "It was a tight game and very exciting game," he said. "It might not have been the most skilful of games and in the end we were a little disappointed not to have won. "I was one of our best performances of the season but I suppose we didn't finish things off as well as can. Fly-half Rory Clegg gifted the Warriors the chance to level the match with a late mistake but Bates refused to come down hard on the youngster. "You can't blame Rory," he added. "You have to take the rough with the smooth with these young guys who are talented but inexperienced. "If he'd caught it and banged it 40 metres into touch we'd all be standing here saying he was brilliant."