JOHN Brain rejected the theory that Worcester hit troubled waters against the Pirates.

The Sixways director of rugby said he was pleased with the performance following the 49-24 victory at The Mennaye despite leaking another four tries.

"We were tested against Penzance for the first time since Orrell back in January," he said. "Penzance are back to full strength and they've had some decent results lately. They've got some strong runners who caused us problems and put us under pressure. However, we've come through the test well and we're happy to have taken the five points and look forward to the remaining five games.

"I think at 14-0 there was a little cause for concern but Penzance have conceded more points in the last 20 minutes of games than any other team in the division and we felt they would weaken and, with our bench, we would get stronger.

"We got back to 14-14 at half time and the talk was rational during the team talk. If we'd have come in 14-0 down then there would have been concern but at 14-14, we knew we would get stronger. We asked them at half time whether they wanted to let a team, who are fifth from bottom, take our unbeaten record away? The players answered the question very well.

"Penzance scored a try early in the second half but whenever we got some pace into the game, we were in control.

"I think the replacements helped to bring about more control. Mark Gabey, Drew Hickey and Matt Powell all did very well when they came on and they made a difference. When you've got that quality on the bench, you have to use it. The replacements brought fresh impetus and more control.

"Ultimately, I think we showed why we are the best team in the league. A lot of teams would have capitulated in the face of such a spirited attack but, in the end, we battled through and won the game comfortably."

Brain was particularly disappointed, however, with referee Nick Williams' performance.

"I thought Penzance's fourth try was a travesty," added Brain. "The referee wasn't good all day and we were concerned about his appointment from the start.

"The players were very unhappy about the fourth try, they felt the referee had missed a blatant knock on. We felt that the referee was making it up as he went along in terms of the penalties. We must have conceded five or six penalties in a row and, in the ruck before they scored, they clearly knocked the ball on.

"That was a 'homer' decision. He wanted to give them the fourth try and I'm not sure they really deserved it."