Saturday, March 6, 2004

WORCESTER'S players could be walking the plank this week after almost sinking on the Cornish coast.

Penzance's Pirates gave the National One champions-elect a real fright until the strength of Worcester's squad told in an extraordinary clash which did little to suggest that the Warriors' defensive frailties are a thing of the past.

They have now shipped 12 tries in their last three matches and, on Saturday, were exposed time after time as tackles were missed and the sheer physicality of the home side's runners unsettled the league leaders.

Ultimately, the introduction of Mark Gabey, Drew Hickey and Matt Powell salvaged the game but Worcester were never comfortable and three tries in the final seven minutes gave the scoreline a flattering look.

It was a day where coaches John Brain and Andy Keast will have learnt so much more from their players and, to their credit, they battled back from the worst possible start. Down 14-0 after 18 minutes, following two converted turnover tries from Steve Thomas and Victor Olonga, Worcester were struggling to contain an attack featuring three New Zealanders, a Tongan, a Fijian, a Zimbabwean and a howling Cornish crowd. However, once Alaifatu Fatialofa had been yellow carded for a 22nd-minute high tackle on Gary Trueman, Worcester began to grind down the Pirates up front.

Daren O'Leary took full advantage as, after a strong scrum, the ball was flipped down the line and the full back, who endured a shaky afternoon defensively, was on hand to touch down. Tommy Hayes added the conversion and, three minutes before the break, was on hand to level up the scores following a catch and drive try from Matt Evans. After such an appalling start, half time parity was a mini triumph but Worcester began the second period with that familiar sinking feeling.

Firstly, Lakalaka Waqanivere was allowed to run 50 metres unchallenged only to see his try disallowed for crossing. Then, Thomas eased through the challenges of Hayes, Trueman and O'Leary to bag his second try of the match and Penzance led again.

With the second half introduction of Gabey and Hickey, though, Worcester were beginning to show more cohesion and the 19-stone man was soon involved as he set up the Warriors' third try for scrum half Neil Cole. Cole pounced, after strong running from Gabey, and Hayes -- who was gradually taking control -- popped over the conversion.

Worcester only took a vice-like grip on affairs once Powell took to the field and they could finally build on another lineout masterclass by Craig Gillies. The giant lock was simply unstoppable all day, stealing Penzance's ball seemingly at will.

With a plentiful supply of ball and a newly found solidity, Worcester moved through the gears. Hayes claimed the bonus point try following some quicksilver work from Jon Hylton and, with the Pirates tiring, Powell ran in two tries and Trueman one to stretch the advantage.

The former Cook Islands international kept his 100 per cent conversion record intact with seven for the day but his all-round display was just as impressive.

Penzance, though, were not to be outdone and they had the final word with their fourth try late on from Viliami Ma'asi despite Worcester's protestations to referee Nick Williams over an earlier knock on.

On the surface, Worcester can pat themselves on the back for victory but they were tested to the limit in Cornwall and, plainly, looked anything but championship material.

With a seemingly indomitable lead at the top and more than a ton of points in the bag, elevation now looks inevitable but Saturday once again offered a stark reminder that nothing in sport is certain.

Worcester: O'Leary 6; Garrard 5, Officer 6, Trueman 6, Hylton 7; HAYES 9, Cole 5; Windo 6, Daly 6, Lyman 6, Zaltzman 5, Gillies 8, C Evans 8, Pfister 6, M Evans 6.

Replacements: Powell 7 (Cole 54), Higgins, McAtee, Hall, Fortey (Lyman 71), Gabey 8 (Zaltzman 40), Hickey 8 (M Evans 40).

Man of the match: Tommy Hayes -- All round kicking was top class from the ice man.