WORCESTER Warriors’ head coach Clive Griffiths insisted the Middlesex Sevens had been a valuable experience for his side after they lost out in the last eight.

Worcester defeated Bristol Rugby in the opening round of the competition before losing in the quarter-final stage to local rivals Gloucester.

There was to be no fairytale return to the capital for Warriors after finishing runners-up last season to Newcastle Falcons.

But Griffiths was still full of praise for his young squad at English rugby headquarters that included many Academy products.

“It was a great experience for the boys although we are really disappointed to go out, especially as it is our local rivals Gloucester who defeated us,” he said.

“It was one of the most disappointing displays of sevens that we have produced at Twickenham in the last few years and we can have no complaints about the result.

“But we look forward and playing Gloucester again in the Guinness Premiership.

“The main priority this season is the full 15-man game, we would have liked to have gone one further than last season but it was not to be.”

Warriors included youngsters Jake Abbott, Greg King, Charlie Fellows, Tom Wood, James Collins and Matt Cox in their squad.

And Griffiths believes they will all benefit from the experience as the 2008/09 Guinness Premiership season draws ever nearer.

“It was a valuable experience for people like Greg King and Jake Abbott, to be in this environment and play at this stadium in front of this crowd,” he added.

“Charlie Fellows didn’t get on last time we came here but this time he has got some game time and even scored a try which was great for him.

“There are positives to take from the day and we are not going to beat ourselves up about going out at the quarter-final stage.”

Harlequins went on to win the tournament after beating the British Army 22-12 in the final.

England internationals Dav-id Strettle and Mike Brown played starring roles for the Quins. It proved a richly-deserved triumph, with Strett-le scoring six tries in the competition.

The Army knocked out Saracens, Leicester and Glou-cester before losing in the final.