Worcester Warriors 28 Gloucester 20.

WORCESTER Warriors have taken a giant stride towards Aviva Premiership survival after their first back-to-back top-tier wins in four years.

Dean Ryan’s men thoroughly deserved their derby victory and followed up their crucial triumph at Newcastle Falcons.

Once again, the catalyst for Warriors’ third win in four matches was Francois Hougaard, whose tackling, energy and kicking has lifted the side and the crowd.

Rumblings on social media suggest the South African scrum-half has pledged his future to Warriors in a long-term deal, although it is yet to be confirmed by the club.

The Springbok is clearly enjoying his rugby with Worcester and his partnership with Tom Heathcote is easing the burden on the fly-half’s shoulders.

Before the game, prop Val Rapava Ruskin vowed to get “upfront and personal” with the experienced Gloucester front row of Nick Wood, Richard Hibbard and John Afoa.

And the Georgian-born Ruskin matched his words because Warriors’ front row was superb and, at times in the second half, demolished Gloucester’s pack at the set-piece.

Prop Nick Schonert has improved hugely since the start of the campaign and also won his battle.

Hooker Niall Annett, who started because Jaba Bregvadze was on international duty with Georgia, did his prospects no harm with a strong showing and crucial try in the second period.

Clearly, Warriors can’t rest on their laurels because they haven’t yet safeguarded their Premiership status but Ryan’s men are now playing with confidence and direction.

Importantly, Worcester showed a calmness in the final 10 minutes – which has often been lacking by Warriors in the top tier – to close out the match and avoid any late twists.

Warriors are now 13 points above the drop zone with six matches remaining.

Bryce Heem got Warriors off to a tremendous start, crossing for the first try after just 98 seconds after collecting Ryan Mills’ kick and brushing aside tackles to score. Heathcote converted.

James Hook failed with a penalty before Gloucester deservedly capped a period of pressure when Bill Meakes dotted down after a fine chip through from Callum Braley. Heathcote and Hook traded penalties before the Worcester kicker rattled a post with a long-distance effort.

Warriors’ scrum took hold and Ross Moriarty was yellow carded for bringing down a maul as the hosts pushed for the line.

Warriors immediately made their numerical advantage count with Heem grabbing his second try after being worked into space on the right. Heathcote, who had taken a knock in the lead-up to the try, missed the conversion as Warriors led 15-10 at the break.

Warriors took a firm grip on the derby early in the second half when Annett dived to score and Heathcote converted.

Hook’s penalty reduced the deficit before Heathcote added a three-pointer after Warriors had driven Gloucester’s pack backwards at the scrum.

Hook gave Gloucester hope, dummying to score under the posts and converting, to cut Worcester’s lead to 25-20.

But Heathcote’s third penalty, a flatly-struck kick, put the match beyond Gloucester.