DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan says match officials need to start rewarding Worcester Warriors for their dominance at the scrum.

Warriors climbed to the top of the Greene King IPA Championship after Saturday’s 34-17 victory against third-placed London Scottish at Richmond Athletic Ground.

Two late tries from Sam Smith sealed Warriors’ 14th successive victory in all competitions but they had a spell with just 13 men on the pitch after yellow cards to Jonathan Thomas and Leo Senatore.

Ryan believes opposition players are shying away from having to compete up-front against Warriors.

“We have to make sure it is a rugby contest because the whole competition is reliant on it being rugby. So let’s make it a proper contest,” said Ryan.

“Sometimes these games don’t resemble rugby and we just have to work it out for ourselves.

“When we have got the ball and can play with it, we are very powerful, direct and smart. From the little bits at the end, you can see we were very good.

“But how did we end up being penalised in four or five scrums when we can clearly walk the scrum 10 metres down the road? I am just gobsmacked that we got penalised for it moving.

“We are frustrated that sides don’t want to play against us and that we don’t get any reward for our dominance up-front.”

Ryan said he was pleased with Warriors’ final flourish after being reduced to 13 men and pegged back to 22-17 with 15 minutes remaining.

“With 15 men on the field, we ramped it up and London Scottish couldn’t cope,” said Ryan.

“If they are going to be play-off contenders with us, then I look forward to seeing them again.”

Meanwhile, Worcester Cavaliers are facing rivals Bristol United tonight at Cribbs Causeway (7.30pm) in their final Aviva A-League Northern Conference fixture. Bristol are the only side to have beaten Warriors’ first team this season and the battle of the second strings promises to be hotly contested.

Worcester have already qualified for the semi-finals of the competition but a win would guarantee them a home tie in the last four against the runners-up from the Southern Conference.

“I doubt it will do anything psychologically but it would be great to have a good performance and to beat Bristol,” said Ryan.

“It’s an A-League game and we won’t change what we do. It would be great to win it and to keep the momentum going.”