Saturday, October 25, 2003

SPORT can, of course, be a workable enough metaphor for life itself.

So it wasn't that surprising that Worcester left the field disappointed on Saturday despite such a comfortable victory.

It was a timely reminder that sport really isn't blessed with fairness.

Having carved out a 36-10 half time lead, supporters were craving for more after seeing the best 40 minutes of the season so far at Sixways. The fact, however, that they failed to match those standards should take nothing away from the performance. The shape, structure, work ethic and execution should not be forgotten simply because it was at the wrong end of most supporters' memories.

In truth, Worcester played poorly in a second half which produced just the 10 points but after such a feast in the opening 40, a snack could be excused.

"The first half was scintillating," said coach Andy Keast. "We haven't put 80 minutes together yet but I've never seen a game where a team plays for 80 minutes.

"What we said to them at half time was that they set such high standards and it was a challenge to get up there near that standard in the second period.

"They failed to do that but there is no criticism because at 2.30pm I would have taken 46-15 without a doubt. There are a lot of teams who will never achieve what we achieved in that first half. The quality of rugby was superb. When you achieve it, though, you want more - that's human nature.

"The game plan worked perfectly in that first half, it's just a pity we couldn't repeat it."

Two tries apiece for Gavin Pfister and Drew Hickey were supported by Tony Windo and Duncan Roke's touchdowns while Tommy Hayes added five conversions and two penalties in this National One encounter.

Roke began the rout on seven minutes as he took advantage of James Brown's distribution and, midway through the half, Hickey was also on the mark as he added the finish to a wonderful move. Centre Wes Davies kicked on and the pressure on Warren Spragg was enough to bring turnover ball. Daren O'Leary's burst then set up the try for the supporting Hickey who was on hand to illustrate just how valuable a good chase can be.

In between, Worcester had driven over Pfister and Windo as their lineout and rolling maul did for Wakefield time after time. Hickey doubled up as he took control of a five-metre scrum and touched down himself for a converted try but Wakefield had the final word of the half with a Spragg penalty and Andy Brown's score which Spragg improved.

Worcester offered only a Hayes penalty and another driven Pfister try late on in the second half while Wakefield's consolation came with a final-minute Rob Hunt score.

Worcester: Roke 6; O'Leary 7, Davies 6, Hayes 6, Garrard 6, Brown 7, Powell 7; Windo 7, Daly 7, Fortey 6, Gabey 7, Gillies 7, Mason 7, Pfister 6, LHICKEY 8.

Replacements: McAtee 6 (Powell 67), Higgins, Officer 6 (Roke 33), Hall, Warren, Zaltzman, M Evans.

Man of the match: DREW HICKEY -- head and shoulders above everyone else.