Mike Ruddock was disappointed after Worcester blew their chance of qualifying for the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals.
Warriors chief upset after side lack cutting edge
Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock was disappointed after his side blew their chance of qualifying for an EDF Energy Cup semi-final berth after losing 27-14 to Harlequins in their final group game
The home side needed four tries to threaten the Anglo-Welsh cup holders Ospreys' qualification into the last four.
But a poor first-half performance left them with too much to do and Quins ran out deserved winners.
On a positive note, influential Warriors captain Pat Sanderson got his first taste of action this season when introduced in the second-half and scored a try almost immediately on his introduction.
But the Warriors could not get the further scores they needed as they lacked a clinical edge.
Ruddock said: "The wind was against us in the first half so we elected to put them in to bat and back ourselves not to concede - but I was disappointed with the outcome as we conceded two tries.
"I put my captain Pat Sanderson on at half-time and he gave our side a lift as he always does.
"In the second half I couldn't fault our commitment and passion.
More physical
"We were much more physical than in the first half but we lacked the clinical edge.
"Harlequins were not that much better than us but they were the better team because they took their chances and we did not."
Ruddock admitted he was aware of the Ospreys' progress in their game at London Irish, which the holders lost 23-19.
He continued: "I was up until 10 minutes to go and even then I thought we had a chance as we were pressurising them on a continuing basis - but at the death we tried to force a play giving them a soft try to finish off.
"Our execution was poor, which we will be working on - but it is a huge lift to have Pat Sanderson back."
The visitors had no chance of progressing to the semis but still chose to field a near first-choice side, missing only their England squad members plus Tom Guest, who was a late withdrawal.
Richards reaction
Explaining such a strong selection, Quins boss Dean Richards said: "We viewed it as an important game as it is the final one of this stage of matches and I wanted a lot of our players to try a few things out before they have a week off.
"The competition is a worthwhile one but if you lose the first fixture as we did against the Ospreys then you are virtually out of the competition."
He said Guest, who withdrew with a rib problem, should return soon.
Two players were helped off during the game, with Jordan Turner-Hall's sprained ankle described by Richards as "being fine" but Phil Davies' knee injury was "more problematic."