DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold was pleased with his players’ “courage” and “commitment” in Worcester Warriors’ 41-10 thrashing by Exeter Chiefs.

The defending Aviva Premiership champions proved a class above the hosts as they racked up five tries in an emphatic victory at Sixways.

They also inflicted a third straight defeat on Warriors who have yet to pick up a point this term and sit at the bottom of the table.

But Gold was keen to highlight his side’s refusal to give up against the high-fliers as they hit back with a try from Biyi Alo at the start of the second half.

And he felt that attitude would serve Warriors well in their bid to get a win on the board and ultimately avoid relegation.

“It was very difficult to swallow that result,” Gold said.

“But that’s what happens when you make mistakes against the champions - they make you pay for them.

“I am not necessarily looking for the positives, but it was a very spirited effort and I don’t think we gave up.

“I thought we came out for the second half with a lot of fight and we will just continue to stay in the fight.”

However, Gold was disappointed with his side’s error count for a third successive week and their inability to keep hold of the ball for long spells.

“We keep saying it every week as we are making errors that are costing us,” Gold continued.

“We are losing lineouts at crucial times and are not looking after the ball for a sustained enough period.

“When we did do that in the second half you could see that we could actually build a little bit of pressure.

“But there was a lot of sprit and courage shown by the guys.

“I don’t want to underestimate what a good team Exeter are.

“That was a pretty tough defensive shift. It was as tough as you are going to get anywhere, so credit to the guys’ character.

“I just think if you start giving up or you are not showing that kind of commitment and courage then we have got problems.

“We will carry on fighting as there is still a long way to go.”

With Warriors putting a big defensive effort, the match was locked at 3-3 until Exeter scored three converted tries in the last 15 minutes of the half.

Alo gave Worcester a glimmer of hope when he crashed over on 49 minutes, but Chiefs’ pressure told with tries from Olly Woodburn and Sam Simmonds.

Exeter head coach Ali Hepher said: “I am chuffed to bits with the attitude that we are showing.

“Even in the Gloucester game we had the right attitude about us.

“We were a little bit inaccurate there and we have still got a few inaccuracies, but ultimately we are in the right frame of mind to go and attack teams away from home.

“That’s pleasing and that’s what we wanted.

“When we did concede, we did after a series of pressure from Worcester.

“But they had to work hard for that try which then helped us with the fatigue factor and with trying to get on top of them.

“Overall our defence looked very organised and it presented us with turnover opportunities to attack from, so I can’t be more pleased with that.”