DIRECTOR of rugby Mike Ruddock admitted individual errors cost his Worcester Warriors as they crashed to a disappointing 14-3 defeat at Newcastle Falcons.

Strong winds and wet playing conditions saw both teams struggle to produce any flowing rugby in an often disjointed encounter.

It was Newcastle who eventually managed to control the game and take advantage of Worcester mistakes to condemn Ruddock’s men to a defeat in the north east.

“I was frustrated by our individual errors — collectively across the board that cost us,” said Ruddock.

“They made less errors than us — which ultimately decided the game — and I thought their half-backs played particularly well. Their kicking game was better than us too, they drilled it lower against the wind.

“They had the edge on us in the scrum in the first-half, although I thought we came back strongly in the second-half. In fairness to my pack, on the occasions that we got a foothold we showed some good physicality and some good mauling.

“Our line-out was under a bit of pressure too, with the wind the way it was it cut off our options towards the back, they were able to contest front and middle a lot more.

Warriors lost full-back Chris Latham to illness for the game, with the Aussie ace having to pull out and was replaced by Calum MacRae. Ruddock added: “I guess losing the left foot of Chris in those conditions was a big loss. The way the game went, I’m not sure Chris on his own would not have been enough to win the game for us.

“We struggled to keep a foothold in and around their 22 as often as we wanted to.

“We had kicks that didn’t find touch from penalties and little errors against us.”