WORCESTER Warriors Academy put in a brave display against Bristol United in the Guinness A' League before going down 33-19 at Sixways.

The home side were dealt an early double-try blow by the visitors who burst out of the traps, but showed a huge amount of character and resilience to take the fight back to United.

Jake Abbott, Tom Wheatcroft and Charlie Fellows all crossed for Warriors in an entertaining eight-try clash against an experienced Bristol side.

And Academy boss Andrew Stanley admitted the workout had been a big huge learning curve for his inexperienced players.

"We knew it was going to be a tough challenge by the strength of the Bristol side that had a number of players with international and Premiership experience," he said.

"We were quite young and were under a lot of pressure from the early stages, but we showed real resilience and never let our heads drop and full credit to the boys.

"We managed to outscore Bristol in the second-half which is very positive."

The Warriors were dealt an early blow when Rob Wood dislocated his shoulder and was replaced by Abbott.

Bristol took the lead on on 11 minutes when Anthony Elliott went in under the post to score. Jason Strange slotted the conversion.

Elliot grabbed his second try shortly after when he intercepted a Joe Carlisle pass to once again go in under the posts. Strange again added the extras.

As the half wore on, Bristol edged further ahead when Ryan Prosser benefited from a quick lineout to the front and dived over in the corner for a 19-0 lead.

Bristol struck again just before the break when the inside-centre took full advantage of some powerful runs in midfield and slid over. Strange added the extras.

The Warriors were rewarded for a brave first-half display just seconds before the break when Shaun Ruwers broke to offload to Abbott to go over. Carlisle added the conversion for a half-time score of 26-7.

Warriors' Wheatcroft reduced the arrears shortly at the interval, however, Bristol responded with a pushover score minutes later.

Fellows grabbed a late in the corner score for the Warriors and replacement fly-half Gareth Morgan hit the touchline conversion.