Sunday, August 17, 2000

TRIES from second row Gavin Webster and wing Sateki Tuipulotu helped Worcester to a convincing 3-17 victory over Melrose.

Worcester's first win of the season came after a solid and mature performance from the entire team, with the visitors totally dominating the Scottish side in the set piece.

"We have worked hard on our scrummage and line out and they worked very well tonight," said Director of Coaching Adrian Skeggs.

"I was very, very pleased with our defence which was outstanding, Melrose never looked like crossing our line once," he said.

Worcester's first try came from a line out as Webster, who joined from Irish provincial side Connacht this summer, caught a clean ball and was driven over the line.

Sateki Tuipulotu converted for a 7-0 lead and, despite the pouring rain and difficult conditions, Worcester began to dominate the game.

A spilled ball from Melrose was kicked through by Tongan international Tuipulotu who dived in under the posts for Worcester's second score, converting his own try for a 14-0 half time lead.

Conditions worsened in the second half, and both sides managed to add just a penalty apiece, Tuipulotu again on target.

"This was a good win against a quality side," said Skeggs. "We dictated through the set piece and second phase. Now we need to work on the third and fourth phase ball.

"The players were on for 80 minutes so they were able to gel more as a team and that showed in the performance.

"We have made vast improvements and developed as a side over the last few games so we can only move on and continue to improve," he said.

WORCESTER: Back, Tuipulotu, Murdoch, Higgins, Baxter, Va'a, Taylor, Windo, Moretti, Hartland, Webster, Sims, Evans, Carter, Merlin. Replacements: Hall, Collins, Scriven, Zaltzman, Pellow, Calder, Langkilde