ADRIAN Skeggs described Worcester Rugby Club's phenomenal second-half display as "the best of the season" as his side swamped Orrell 67-13.

Worcester found themselves 13-10 down at the break to a battling Orrell team fighting for their National One lives at Sixways on Saturday.

However, the Gold'n'Blues' director of coaching, after some harsh dressing room words at the break, was delighted with his side's response as Worcester ran in nine tries to demolish the relegation-threatened club.

He said: "That was the best 40 minutes we have played all season and the boys deserve all the credit for a fabulous response to being behind.

"They were poor in the first- half but, after some home truths, they responded with some fine rugby.

"It was a really positive performance and result especially coming on the back of the Leeds game."

He added: "The words at half-time were nothing to do with tactics, they were just about toughening up.

"We fought like dogs at Leeds. OK we were on the back foot for most of the match but we fought until we dropped.

"There was none of that against Orrell and all I said to them was 'If you don't want to play for yourselves then fine, but there are people out there who have paid to come and watch you. Do it for them."

The victory kept Worcester's faint hopes of promotion alive but with Leeds collecting all five points at Birmingham & Solihull, the Tykes still lead National One by one point.

Skeggs singled out birthday boy Nick Baxter for praise after the winger capped a fine substitute appearance with a double try burst.

Baxter, fired up after being initially axed for the game, came on for Spencer Bromley in the second-half and thrilled the home crowd with a great run from his own 22 metre line for his second try.

Skeggs said: "Nick was great. He's quite peeved off about everything. That was good because he was wound up. He's responded well on the pitch."