RINGMASTER Adrian Skeggs labelled his side 'clowns' as Worcester Rugby Club squeezed past Bedford 31-25 at Sixways on Saturday.

The director of coaching was far from happy with Worcester's display after watching them concede three tries for the first time this season as they almost slipped up on this banana skin of a fixture.

They trailed 20-11 at half-time, but hit back to plant a custard pie in Bedford's face with a gutsy, if unconvincing performance. And Skeggs was furious with aspects of his side's display after the match.

He said: "I think out there on the pitch was a rugby ball but it didn't look like a game of rugby to me -- it looked like a circus. The horrible thing was we were the clowns.

"In any sport it is all about being mentally tough and we just didn't show it. A champion team can always beat a team of champions because they are performing together. That's what Bedford showed -- typical guts and spirit -- they never gave up.

"I said to the guys at half-time, 'there is not one player on their side who is better than any of you but the trouble is, as a team they are murdering you.'"

He added: "I applaud the guys for coming back and getting what was a fantastic result because they showed the character needed to be successful.

"However, as a coach I want us to be pro-active instead of re-active --we shouldn't have put ourselves in that position to begin with."

The second-half was played in atrocious conditions with thunder and lightning accompanying an unforgiving rainstorm, but Worcester showed character by digging deep to claim their fourth straight win in National League Division One.

However, Skeggs believed they would have to improve if they wanted to go the distance this season and win promotion to the Premiership.

He said: "All the teams that come to Sixways are going to be up for it mentally and we have to make a difference man for man. I saw it in their warm-up, the guys just thought it was going to happen, they were just going to win the game.

"It doesn't happen like that. I am trying to give hem responsibility in certain areas and I want them to make the decisions but I think I might have to step in.

"I don't like talking down to players but maybe that is the way it has to be. We underachieved yet again and that disappoints me.

"Having three tries scored against us is alarming because you always know how you are going with your defence and we just weren't at the races."

Skeggs is also promising changes for Saturday's visit to Coventry after a number of impressive performances from substitutes.

"The guys who have come off the bench got on there and got stuck into people, so I dare say there will be a few changes -- we need a bit more toughness up front."