Worcester 33-10 Doncaster Knights

Mike Ruddock is starting his third season in charge at Sixways

Worcester Warriors came from 10-0 down at half time to beat Doncaster 33-10 in their opening pre-season game.

Warriors threw on Chris Latham, Sam Tuitupou, Willie Walker and Marcel Garvey with 30 minutes left and turned the game around.

"We knew they would be a physical team and they got the early try," director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"They are a good side, very committed and they were hard to break down."

In front of a crowd of over 4,000, the Knights' Stephen McColl started the scoring with an intercepted try, and they doubled the lead when lock Glen Townson went over near the posts.

Three minutes after the break Warriors hit back as fly-half Joe Carlisle popped the ball up for skipper Dale Rasmussen to race clear, and Carlisle added the conversion.

Maybe we thought it was going to be a bit easier and there were some loose passes

Mike Ruddock

Miles Benjamin ended a fine move by going over in the corner, before youngster Ollie Frost put the Warriors further ahead. Willie Walker, who took over the kicking duties, slotted the conversions.

Greg Rawlinson picked up on a defensive error after good work from Latham, before Tom Wood rounded it off in spectacular style by grabbing Walker's cross field kick, with Walker converting with the last kick of the game.

Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester it was just what his side needed after weeks of intensive training:

"Typical trial game, first half was a bit loose and frantic but in the second half we showed our class.

"We gave some of the young lads a go in the first half and in the second half we bought on the guys that matter.

"Maybe we thought it was going to be a bit easier and there were some loose passes.

"The breakdown area has changed this season, and that created some difficulties and we were not getting quick ball, and they managed to get up and knock us down.

"We had some strong words at half time, but all round it was a good tough test, and they gave us a good physical battle."