FORMER England coach Geoff Cooke labelled Worcester's 23-5 victory at Wakefield in desperate conditions as "terrific for the club."

Worcester's director of rugby was in high spirits after seeing his side guts it out on a sorry day in Yorkshire -- conditions which could have brought a weaker side down to earth.

However, the Sixways outfit were never in danger of defeat and their bonus point victory kept them nine points clear of second-placed Leeds despite the Headingley side's 48-3 destruction of Bedford at Goldington Road.

It was a vital win for the Gold'n'Blues after a disappointing display against Waterloo last week and Cooke was delighted for the team before they embarked on a week trip to Malaga today.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted at the result not just to win but also to get a bonus point on a day like this, it is terrific for the club.

"We would have settled just for the win I think in these conditions but the forwards were absolutely outstanding and really dominated the game.

"The field was very boggy and difficult to play on, but we kept on with the game-plan. Our forwards really got to grips with the conditions and had too much power for the Wakefield forwards."

Cooke was delighted with winger Nick Baxter who stormed back to form with a double-try burst. Baxter looked likely to be on the side-lines for some time after suffering an eye socket injury last month but after doctors gave him the go-ahead to return this week, he took his chance in fine style.

And Cooke paid tribute to Sixways' golden boy.

"I'm pleased for him because he's a willing lad whose never let his head go down despite a frustrating season. He has worked very hard in training.

"I keep saying to the players though, when you are professionals the time to start whinging is when you don't get paid, not when you don't get in the side!"

The former England man though was just relieved the team won with the bonus point before they embarked on their week-long trip to Spain today.

Cooke was concerned a defeat could turn the week into a nightmare.

"There was a bit of a panic that if we got turned over today we were then booked in for a week's training camp which would not have been ideal!

"The players are looking forward to it, all the more after the win."