Saturday, September 16, 2000

ADRIAN Skeggs described his side's performance as sensational after watching Worcester Rugby Club sweep aside title rivals Leeds Tykes 40-13 on Saturday.

The Sixways director of coaching, in charge of his first home National League Division One clash, was in buoyant mood as Worcester underlined their title credentials with a powerful display of high tempo rugby.

Sateki Tuipulotu was the hero, bagging 23 points against his old side, and the win also contained a precious bonus point for four tries to keep Worcester top of the league.

A delighted Skeggs said: "We scored four tries to get the bonus point which is just sensational against a side of that quality.

"I don't see why we cannot set our sights higher than that performance because I think we can get a lot better than that."

It was an ambitious statement from the former Australian international whose team completely outplayed their bogey side.

Worcester had not beaten Leeds since September 1998, but the result was never in doubt after two early penalties from Tuipulotu put them on the road to victory.

The visitors enjoyed a renaissance midway through the first-half, drawing level with two Richard Le Bas penalties, but the comeback was shortlived as Neil Lyman grabbed his second try in successive games.

Tuipulotu converted and then kicked a fine penalty on half-time to give the home side a 16-6 advantage at the break.

Matthew Back capped another impressive display with a well-worked try in the 48th minute and another Tuipulotu conversion put Worcester out of sight.

The Tongan ace then added a penalty to make it 26-6 before Tom Palmer saved Leeds' blushes with a try and Le Bas converted.

A great break by Ricky Pellow, in for the injured Chris Simpson-Daniel, then set up man-of-the-match Tuipulotu. The try took his points tally to 21 and he duly added the extra points.

Skeggs took off Tuipulotu minutes later with Sixways supporters showing their appreciation with a rousing reception. And there was still time for Worcester to round off a perfect day as Andrew Higgins raced through to bag Worcester's fourth try and the bonus league point.

Tuipulotu's replacement, Ian Calder continued the fine kicking display with the conversion to finish the scoring. Earl Va'a once again stood out with some fine kicking and solid distribution but it was Tuipulotu who was the undoubted hero.