ACADEMY coach Gordon Ross was bristling with pride after his Worcester Warriors side battled against adversity to clinch a point from a 34-22 defeat at Saracens in the Premiership Cup.

Warriors travelled with a side that featured two loanees and seven academy players but they rose to the challenge at Allianz Park and led 12-10 at half-time thanks to tries from Scott van Breda and Matti Williams.

The visitors were also hit by injuries as Zac Xiourouppa (knee) and Ryan Bower (Achilles) were forced off before Andrew Kitchener sustained a blow to his head.

Ross admitted Kitchener’s injury that resulted in a lengthy stoppage was a “big turning point” as Saracens ran in three tries in quick succession.

But Ross was thrilled by the way his players plugged away with Wynand Olivier and Tom Howe crossing and he reckoned Worcester were only “centimetres” away from claiming a further losing bonus point late on.

“It was a game where we probably could have got more than a point,” Ross said.

“We were in control of the game after a really good first half.

“We got an injury at the start of the second half and then we conceded three quick scores so it was a lack of concentration that cost us badly.

“It happened a couple of times in the first half too.

“But I could not be more proud of the boys with the effort they have put into training and the game.

“When we went three tries down in the second half they came back and we were centimetres away from getting back to a one-score game so great credit to the guys.”

After Kitchener was stretchered off Ben Earl, Ali Crossdale and Will Skelton went over in the space of 12 minutes.

Ross said Kitchener was in the changing room immediately after the game but felt the blow shifted the momentum Saracens’ way.

It led Ross to bring on Alafoti Fa’osiliva who was picked up from his home in Bath on the morning of the game after on-loan Hartpury hooker Jordan Liney pulled out through illness.

“We had a couple of injuries in the first half as well so we were trying to get guys on the pitch who have not had much game-time recently,” Ross said.

“But they did extremely well.

“It knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit as we lost a player through injury and they scored a try off the scrum so it was a big turning point in the game.”

On the injuries to back rower Xiourouppa and prop Bower, Ross added: “Zac took a bang to his knee.

“He just chased the kick when it came off the post so there was no contact.

“I think Ryan took a bang to his Achilles but we are not too sure just yet.

“They are big players for us so it was disappointing to lose them so early on but the guys that came on did a great job.

“James Scott, in his first game at that level, did outstandingly well so I am proud of the group.

“They got stuck in at tough times against a really strong Saracens team, particularly up front where we did really well.”