CATCHING teams cold in the opening 20 minutes is Worcester Warriors’ aim in this season’s Greene King IPA Championship, according to try-scorer Ryan Bower.

Warriors’ triumph at Castle Park was built on a rip-roaring start which swept them into a 12-0 lead after just 11 minutes.

The prop was an important component of Warriors’ scrum and he also notched his first try for the club after opening the scoring in the visitors’ bonus-point success.

Warriors were strong at the set-piece and their scrum, particularly in the early and closing exchanges, troubled Doncaster, who suffered a first defeat home in 16 months.

“Having a quick start always gets the ball rolling,” said Bower.

“It was a very good start and we will look to blow away teams in the first 20 minutes.”

Bower was delighted to score a rare try, which stemmed from Charlie Mulchrone’s quick-tap penalty and good support from Ben Howard.

“Ben put in some great footwork and off-loaded to me so I could dot down in the corner. It’s the first time I’ve scored a try in two years.”

Winger Sam Smith also crossed for his first competitive try for Warriors in the early stages, again from Howard’s break, which knocked the stuffing out of Knights.

The scoreline would suggest a comfortable win for Warriors, although two penalties from Dougie Flockhart cut the visitors’ lead to 15-6 at the break.

If one grumble remained from Worcester’s fans it would be the game was not put to bed until Max Stelling raced away to score with 22 minutes remaining.

Full-back Howard caught the eye and is making the most of Chris Pennell’s absence from the match-day squad.

The former Warwick School student set up a series of attacks with breaks from deep and also made a thumping first-half try-saving tackle on Doncaster winger Tyson Lewis.

Stelling also left his mark with Warriors’ third try and Warriors’ director of rugby Dean Ryan will certainly have options at full-back once Pennell returns to fitness.

Fly-half Ignacio Mieres gave another sure-footed performance and, after missing an early shot at goal, made amends with three conversions and a penalty.

Centres Alex Grove and Andy Symons looked sharp with ball in hand and also put in a lot of defensive duties when Doncaster rallied.

Warriors thoroughly deserved their early 12-0 lead, courtesy of tries from Bower and Smith, one of which Mieres converted.

But the hosts hit back with two penalties from Lockhart either side of one from Mieres to keep themselves in the contest at the interval.

Mieres stretched the Warriors advantage from a penalty before Flockhart slotted his third penalty shortly afterwards.

However, the match turned in Warriors’ favour straight from the restart.

Doncaster failed to gather Mieres’ kick and Tom Biggs gathered and off-loaded to Stelling who raced clear to score in the corner. Mieres added the extras.

The hosts were awarded a penalty-try by referee Tom Foley, who also sent replacement Jonny Arr to the sin-bin after a driving maul.

Warriors secured the try bonus point the 68th minute through Sam Betty, who got the final touch at the bottom of a maul, and Mieres converted.