Worcester 36 Montpellier 26

Apr 7 2008

WORCESTER coach Mike Ruddock praised his side's character after the Warriors made it five games without defeat with a stunning first-half display against Montpellier.

Rico Gear (2), Miles Benjamin, Sam Tuitupou and Craig Gillies all went over before the break to book the Warriors' passage to the European Challenge Cup semi-finals.

With Premiership survival all but secured, Ruddock believes his side have stepped up to the plate in recent weeks. He said: "The last month or so has been really tough and we've really fronted up and delivered the goods in some tough games."

It took Worcester just three minutes to get the ball rolling as Benjamin ran in under the posts only for the French side to hit straight back through skipper Fulgence Ouedraogo.

Gear then got in on the act on 20 minutes and seven minutes later centre Tuitupou left Montpellier in his wake with a stunning score.

However, on 32 minutes Cristian Stoica went over. But Worcester sealed the win with two tries in four minutes before the break through Gear and Gillies.