WORCESTER Warriors were victorious in the Manchester Sevens when they defeated Red Panda in the plate final.

A young Warriors side led by Andrew Boyce were drawn in arguably the tougher of the two groups and went down 24-14 in their opening game to eventual cup winners Les Bleus, who included a number of French sevens internationals in their side.

Warriors came up against another specialist side Samurai in their second match of the competition and eventually lost 26-12.

However, academy manager Mark Hewitt’s men turned their fortunes around in their final two group games when they saw off Red Panda and Irish Exiles to progress to the Elite Plate competition.

In the semi-final Warriors cruised past Northumberland University 40-5 before defeating Red Panda 24-14 in the final.

Hewitt said: “After a tough start to the competition, the players responded brilliantly and raised the level.

“I was delighted to see them achieve success in the plate and it was the reward for their attitude and dedication throughout the competition.”

Meanwhile, Warriors have agreed a weekend with Rabo Direct Pro12 side Ospreys for a pre-season friendly ahead of the new 2013-14 Aviva Premiership season.

Warriors will travel to the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on the Bank Holiday weekend of Friday, August 23, to Monday, August 26.

The final date and kick-off time will be confirmed next month once the Premier League fixtures for Swansea City are announced on June 19. It will be Worcester’s first return to the Liberty Stadium since the autumn of 2008 when the Ospreys secured victory as the two teams met in the LV=Cup.

Warriors have already confirmed two home pre-season fixtures as they entertain Rotherham Titans (Wednesday, August 14) and Cardiff Blues (Saturday, August 17) at Sixways.