OUR performance over Saracens on Friday night was crammed full of intensity, commitment and passion and we were delighted to secure such a massive result for the club.

We had spoken as a group in the lead-up to game about the importance of starting well and from the first whistle I felt we set the tone with some crunching tackles and a really positive attitude.

There weren’t any tries in the game, but I couldn’t fault a single Warrior for the manner in which they played.

Everyone wanted to secure that big win so desperately and it was a huge step forward for us.

Also a word for the crowd who really cranked up the volume and made it another special night under the lights at Sixways.

I certainly felt it was our best team performance of the season because we never let our levels drop off.

In the Aviva Premiership you will always get punished for the slightest mistake, but we never stopped tackling, never stopped working and even in the dying minutes you could see we didn’t want them to even secure a losing bonus point.

We felt we could have scored some tries and made a number of line-breaks and had enough possession and territory to win by a comfortable margin.

It would have definitely made it easier viewing for the fans too. In the end 12-3 is more than good enough, but we could have won by more.

In terms of performances, it’s difficult to pick out individuals as everyone really stepped up to the plate. The big man Semisi Taulava was outstanding and showed a great engine to keep carrying all night.

Our front row were terrific, Neil Best was excellent in his first league start this season and in the backs you couldn’t help but be impressed by Chris Pennell, who was rock-solid under the high ball and always made big yards.

Obviously I was disappointed not to start the game, but pleased to get on and make an impression in the second-half.

I thought James Percival led by example as captain all night and you could see how much it meant to him.

However, I want to be playing every week and I’ll be doing all I can this week in training to push my claims for a recall.

The games don’t get any easier and we now travel to champions Harlequins on Friday night for another massive test as we continue a big period for the club.

This block of seven games, which finishes with Leicester Tigers on home soil in the new year, will define our season.

It will decide whether we can push up the Aviva Premiership and make the last eight of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

We made a great start against Saracens and put a marker down, but we can’t stop now.

A safe trip to all the fans going to Twickenham Stoop — we will be doing all we can to put on another big display for you.