Warriors salute `streetwise` Bath

Sunday 25th May 2008

Worcester skipper Pat Sanderson and coach Mike Ruddock refused to blame erratic officiating for their 24-16 defeat to Bath in the final of the European Challenge Cup at Kingsholm on Sunday.

A Worcester victory would have secured Heineken Cup qualification next season, but Harlequins will now take England's sixth Heineken place, joining Bath, Gloucester, Leicester, Wasps and Sale Sharks.

Shane Drahm kicked three penalties for the Warriors and full-back Thinus Delport scored a late try converted by Joe Carlisle, but it was not enough.

The Warriors might feel aggrieved that Bath escaped three potential sin-binnings, but Sanderson and Ruddock refused to look anywhere other than within themselves.

"We might have got a better rub of the green, but you cannot take anything away from Bath," said Sanderson in the wake of the first major final in Worcester's history.

"We have got to manage the referee as well, which is something we must learn. Ultimately though, we came up short.

"But I believe Worcester is an exciting place to be, and I am excited about what is going to happen next season. This is a team that really wants to do well."

Ruddock added: "There is a lot of emotion in a cup final and there are a number of talking points, but Bath were more streetwise than us.

"We have got to be proud of our achievement after a difficult start to the season.

"We have made a lot of progress this season, but we weren't quite there today under the pressures of a final."