Worcester gave their coach Mike Ruddock reason to smile as they got their LV = Cup campaign off to an impressive start with a comfortable 32-6 win at home to a weak but battling Newcastle.

The Warriors led only 8-6 at the interval, but three close-range tries saw off the visitors in the second half.

Ruddock said: "It was a good win for us. Our form has dipped of late, but I am very pleased - because it was a comfortable win.

"It's ironic really,

because I wanted us to try and get the ball wider - and then we win with driving mauls. But it did result from good play - because we secured penalties, kicked for the corners and then drove over well for the tries."

Last week Worcester were defeated 14-3 by Newcastle in a league encounter at Kingston Park.

Ruddock recalled: "Last week I was disappointed in a number of areas and I was anxious to avenge that defeat.

"I was especially pleased today, because we had a number of academy boys who stood up to the task - in particular prop Jack Gilding, who I thought was our man of the match.

"It was a big test for him to play 80 minutes against a quality pack."

Next week the Warriors visit the Scarlets - an occasion Ruddock is looking forward to already.

"We think this is a great competition, and there would be an enormous amount of prestige to win it - but it will be a very tough game at the Scarlets," he predicted.

"I will have to look at my squad, because we have two massive home league games after the Scarlets - and while not wishing to devalue the fixture, it is vital that I use our resources in a smart way."

Ruddock's opposite number Steve Bates said: "I thought it was a really good game, and the driving maul came back into fashion."

His side were badly hit by the loss of both Mark Wilson and Rob Vickers to the sin bin.

Bates added: "Vickers went to the sin bin and was adamant that he didn't do anything - and I wasn't convinced about Wilson's decision.

"We therefore were without key players for 20 minutes, and Worcester's bigger pack got some mileage for their pushover tries."