Do not judge fringe stars on this game; Nick Purewal's MATCH ANALYSIS.

Worcester ............. 32 Falcons .................. 6 IF the European Challenge Cup is the sideshow, the Anglo-Welsh contest is the phony war.

Full-strength Worcester had to revert to type to power past a Falcons XV with points to prove. Premiership bragging rights in the bag, Steve Bates rested his top stars with the next league run in mind.

The Warriors drove home three mindless and mind-numbing mauls to secure a bonus-point win, the point of which will have been lost on many.

But try telling any of the 23-strong Falcons squad Saturday's early kickoff was no worthy endeavour. Try telling that to the combative Laurence Ovens, the fired-up Micky Ward or even the ranging debutant Mark Wilson. Good luck with anything other than short shrift.

While many of the travelling horde had their chance to press personal claims, the only trouble with a contest of less import lies in the overall makeup of the starting lineup.

The likes of Ovens and Ward will be well within their rights to seek out Falcons boss Bates this week and warn: 'Don't judge me on that'.

First-team players waiting for their chance want - and deserve - to be judged on first-team outings surrounded by first-choice players.

That, however, is nowhere near always possible, hence many having to make do with opportunities like this afterthought competition.

Yes, any chance is a good chance, but senior men like Hall Charlton and developing stars with solid first-team experience like Rob Miller will hope that Bates rates their performances in context.

In the match setting, the Newcastle half-backs hardly covered themselves in glory - but then they were battling away in a scenario where for the most part they were hustling around on the back foot. The same cannot generally be said of those who triumphed in league action at Bath or against Worcester.

So a fair quota might quote the 'don't judge' phrase to Bates this week, and all will be justified.

Young Cumbrian back-rower Wilson will not be one of those, however, because this competition is made for his ilk.

After impressing in training and at National One side Blaydon this season, the Academy man was handed his first start in an imposing setting.

Sixways is never a happy Falcons hunting ground, and certainly not when the pack gives away a sizeable weight and experience advantage.

Just as Will Welch seized his opportunity at Newport last season, so Wilson followed suit in the Midlands.

Welch's recent starring roles vindicate coaching faith in his developing ability - and now Wilson has taken the first step down the same path.

Unfortunate to suffer an early sinbin, he made himself a solid breakdown nuisance and offered competent continuity at times.

Bar that, a promising Tom Catterick effort and a creditable effort from the fringe front-rowers, this was hardly unforgettable.

Struggling for form, Worcester stuffed it up their jumper and barged in three times thanks to boring mauls in the second half. Still, wins are never that boring.

Miles Benjamin's first-half score was well-worked, and Rob Miller landed two penalties for the Falcons, but overall this was no thriller.

The result was never vital, but few Falcons advanced their own claims suitably enough.

Newcastle probably need the win over Harlequins this weekend to sustain semi-final hopes, but defeat will hardly spell the end of the world.

CAPTION(S):

TOUCHDOWN: Miles Benjamin of Worcester scores against Newcastle Falcons during Saturday's Anglo-Welsh defeat.