Mike Ruddock feels Worcester Warriors have come a long way in 2008

Worcester Warriors need to be quicker out of the blocks at the first whistle, says director of rugby Mike Ruddock.

Warriors have played catch-up in their last two games, twice having overturned half-time deficits to claim draws against Bristol and Newcastle.

And Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "We have to focus on this part of our game, as we are giving teams a 10-point start.

"It's a habit we want to lose and have to if we are to become successful."

But Ruddock insists that eighth-placed Worcester, who have lost just one of their last five league games, will go into 2009 with a far better side than the one that started the year bottom of the Guinness Premiership.

"We can go on and win some games now," he said. "It has been a year of progress.

"We have not set the world on fire, but I think we are a better side than this time last year.

"We are still building a side in many ways. There are still a lot of youngsters getting experience.

"Hopefully 2009 will start to bring some of the rewards for the hard work that everyone has put in."

Worcester are in action again on Saturday when fourth-placed Sale visit Sixways (1500 GMT).

The Warriors won 17-9 when the two sides last met on a Friday night at Edgeley Park in mid-November.

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