CENTRE Andy Symons says he has a former England kicker to thank for receiving the biggest cheer during Worcester Warriors’ rout of Cornish Pirates at Sixways earlier this month.

Warriors racked up 10 tries in their 62-26 blitz of the Pirates but it was Symons who got the loudest roar of the afternoon after taking over the kicking duties and slotting a touchline conversion.

“I have always kicked since I was a youngster and used to play a lot at 10 so I have always been a place kicker and that’s something I am always trying to improve,” said Symons.

“We have got Paul Grayson who comes in and he does a fantastic job with the kickers at the club. I find it really helpful.

“My kicking is going from strength to strength.”

Symons scored a try and kicked two conversions against Pirates.

He then slotted five conversions and a try in last Saturday’s 50-10 win at Moseley in the Greene King IPA Championship.

“I just need to try to find some consistency,” said Symons. “In games, I am just trying to get five kicks in a row under my belt.”

Harlow-born Symons totalled four tries in 11 appearances for Warriors this term and is battling it out for the number 12 shirt where competition is fierce.

“Ryan Mills, Ravai Fatiaki and Alex Groves are all high-quality players. Rav and Grovesie were solid in the Premiership last season and Millsy has got the X-factor,” said Symons.

“We are all different players but, ultimately, we want the same jersey so it’s difficult for the coaches and we are trying to give them a headache or two.

“It’s always difficult when you have got some really good players around you and sometimes you try to equal them and worry about their game rather than concentrate on your own game. It’s a learning curve for me and it’s important that I concentrate on what I am really good at and do that side of things well.

“I feel like I am definitely back to form.”

Symons arrived at Sixways in November 2013 from New Zealand side Tasman Makos but spent three months on the sidelines with a broken collar bone.

He eventually went on to make 10 appearances in the Premiership last term, scoring two tries.

Symons had a starting berth in Warriors’ opening match this term – the last-gasp 23-19 defeat against rivals Bristol – before slipping down the pecking order.

“It probably wasn’t my best game against Bristol, which was disappointing,” recalled Symons.

“I think it was fair for me to step back to earn my place again.

“I was pretty up for the Gloucester United game in the Aviva A-League and I used it to stake my claim again to try to get my jersey back.

“Competition is fierce so you can’t afford to slip up.

“Playing for the Cavaliers helped me to get my confidence back up and get into a bit of form.

“The pressure is not as high as in the Championship and you can express yourself, just really enjoy the game and, hopefully, get yourself back in the Championship team, which is what everyone is trying to do.

“I was pretty proud when I reached the 20-appearance mark for Warriors a few weeks ago. I noticed it when I read the match programme.”

Symons added: “We have got a bigger squad this year and sometimes you have to be a squad player and step back and support the others and train as hard as you can to help them.

“It was nice to reach 20 games and be somewhere for a considerable amount of time because that’s what I want to do.

“I want to be a loyal clubman.”