But despite Matt Powell and Thinus Delport crossing for tries it was fired up Bath proved too good and  ran in four tries to claim the bonus point victory.

“We can’t argue about that display, we are frustrated,” said Ruddock. “Some of the skill levels we saw against London Irish in pre-season just weren’t there today, we couldn’t keep the ball and build momentum.

“Now we need to lick our wounds, improve our skills for next week and come strong against Wasps.”

Warriors were given a dream start at a roasting hot Rec and went ahead after two minutes when fly half Shane Drahm confidently split the posts after Bath were hit for straying offside.

Temperatures were soaring on the opening day of the season but it was the home side who came to the boil the quicker with early home pressure when Chris Pennell and Marcel Garvey failed to react to a long punt down field and only a hurried clearance from the young full back cleared the danger.

Pennell was being put under plenty of early pressure with several long kicks aimed down the throat of the youngster who is a product of the Warriors Academy set-up. But the 20-year-old coped admirably on his top-flight debut.

Bath were looking to run the ball from deep at every opportunity and use their big wide men to power home any openings. Only an interception by the returning Kai Horstmann, after summer surgery on his left shoulder, stopped the home side as they looked left for a break away try.

But the home side were not to be denied too long and opened the try count on nine minutes when the impressive Shaun Berne made an initial break in midfield after more quickly recycled ball. The centre looked set to be hauled up short but just as he was tackled he intelligently flicked the ball inside to scum half Michael Classens to run in under the posts. Berne added the extras for a 7-3 lead.

Drahm had the chance to cut the lead when Bath were penalised for hands in the ruck on 14 minutes but the fly half pulled his kick right and immediately the home side were back on the attack.

Bath were moving left and right with real drive and almost created a second try when a grubber through was not cleared into touch by Pennell and only some desperate late tackles from Dale Rasmussen and Chris Fortey saw danger pushed into touch.

Wing Matt Banahan was making an impact every time he touched the ball when he came off his wing with some power-packed runs as Warriors fought in vain for spells of possession and time in opposition territory in a gruelling opening 20 minutes.

Bath struck for a second time after 19 minutes when the ball was spread wide right after a strong home scrum. Tom Cheeseman was taken out by Delport but the ball still ran to Jack Cuthbert who just had enough room to scramble over in the corner for a Premiership debut try.

The home side were increasingly winning the tactical kicking game to keep Warriors pinned back and Ruddock’s men were struggling to make an impact in the game by repeatedly knocking on

Another break by Berne looked likely to set up a third try as Cheeseman took the ball on his shoulder. But this time the hard-working Tom Wood covered back to take the South African down and then turn the ball over.

Warriors suddenly came alive on 30 minutes with a move of great simplicity - and straight from the training ground - created a opening Worcester try of the season. A lineout to the middle was palmed down by Craig Gillies and Powell screamed through a gap in the defence to dive over. Drahm added the extras to cut the lead to 12-10.

Suddenly there was a spark about the Worcester game as a kick from Drahm deep into the corner caused Nick Abendanon to frantically kick clear.

However, back came the home side and more sustained pressure and quick ball saw then strike again just before the break. Big wing Banahan was hauled up just short but took three men with him and numbers out wide right counted as quick ball found the safe hands of Cuthbert to score his second of the afternoon as he slid over. Berne added the extras for a 19-10 half-time lead.

Ryan Davies saw his drop goal attempt just sail right after the restart as the hosts looked to push home their advantage.

Warriors were also now looking the part by keeping the ball alive, but they could not break down a resolute Bath defence with Rasmussen coming the closest when he looked to scoop up a stray home pass but knocked on.

Ruddock’s men were still guilty of too many handling errors in promising positions as they gave back possession.

Darren Morris entered the fray for Tony Windo ten minutes after the restart but Warriors still not at full throttle as Drahm pulled penalty kick wide two minutes later.

Berne almost streaked away for a score when he came close to intercepting Trueman’s flick pass.

Yet it was Warriors who were wondering what could have been on 55 minutes when Wood, who impressed throughout on his Premiership debut, burst past his man. Rasmussen took on the ball as Warriors kept the ball alive but as Garvey arrived at pace he knocked the ball forward with the line in his sight.

Warriors changed the half back pairing with the introduction of Ryan Powell and James Brown on the hour.

But it had little impact as Bath extended their lead on 64 minutes after Warriors were penalised and Berne split the posts with ease for the comfort of a 22-10 lead.

Minutes later it got even worse as Bath won a scrum against the head and quick hands gave back row Daniel Browne the easiest chance from just five yards out to dive over for a bonus point. Berne added the extras.

The visitors did hit back with Thinus Delport sliding in the corner after a powerful run and pass from Mark Tucker. Brown just missed with his conversion attempt from the side line. And the South African almost scored in injury time but was bundled into touch by Banahan.

So it was Bath who claimed opening day glory and Warriors who were left to turn their attentions to Wasps and a first game on home soil in just seven days time. For the players the chance to make amends can not come soon enough.

Timeline:
2m Drahm p 0-3
8m Classens t Berne c 7-3
19m Cuthbert t 12-3
30m Powell t Drahm c 12-10
38m Cuthbert t Berne c 19-10
64m Berne p 22-10
70m Browne t Berne c 29-10
76m Delport t 29-15

Warriors: 01 Tony Windo (Morris 50), 02 Chris Fortey (Gotting 65), 03 Tevita Taumoepeau, 04 Phil Murphy (Bowley 76), 05 Craig Gillies, 06 Tom Wood, 07 Pat Sanderson, 08 Kai Horstmann (Quinnell 65), 09 Matt Powell (Ryan Powell 60), 10 Shane Drahm (Brown 60), 11 Marcel Garvey, 12 Gary Trueman, 13 Dale Rasmussen (Tucker 73), 14 Thinus Delport, 15 Chris Pennell

Replacements: 16 Darren Morris, 17 Ben Gotting, 18 Gavin Quinnell, 19 Will Bowley, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 James Brown, 22 Mark Tucker