Saturday, November 25, 2000

CHAMPIONS elect Worcester opened an 11-point lead over second-placed Leeds Tykes at the top of National One with an outstanding display as London Welsh's fire fizzled out in the rain on Saturday.

The Sixways side scored five tries on their way to a convincing 29-12 win over Welsh at Old Deer Park with a performance which featured dogged defending but also incisive, razor-sharp attacking rugby.

Adrian Skeggs' team struggled in the strong wind and rain on a pitch more suited to mud wrestling than the beautiful game for the opening 20 minutes but once they got into their stride - they never looked back.

Indeed, midway through the first half the league leaders found themselves 6-0 down after former Saracens fly-half Andy Lee had boosted the passionate home crowd with a brace of penalties.

However, Worcester - led superbly by skipper Alistair Murdoch - began to impose themselves on the match and would have scored but for fine tackling from Welsh full-back Matt Vines. However, the visitors were not to be denied and after 32 minutes Murdoch burst through the Welsh defence to set up Rudi Keil who in turn put in winger Ally McLean for a lightningly quick try. The flying Scotsman ran in for the five points but it was Murdoch's power and pace which made the try.

Sateki Tuipulotu, for once having a day to forget after a number of handling errors, missed the conversion as Welsh held on to their 6-5 lead. The advantage did not last long, however, as Worcester began to turn on the style. Two minutes later Murdoch again started the move which led to the second try of the match. Earl Va'a continued the move and after exchanging passes, he put in McLean who duly doubled his try tally for the afternoon. Tuipulotu was once again off target with the extra two points and the home side took advantage soon after as they cut the gap to one point with another Lee penalty just before half-time.

After the sloppy second half show against Otley last week, Worcester began the next 40 minutes in quickfire fashion with a try after just 54 SECONDS.

And once again it was highlander McLean who cut through the Welsh defence in true Braveheart fashion as he completed his hat-trick. The touch down was beautifully crafted by Va'a who chipped through for McLean to kick the ball forward before outpacing the defence to score.

Tuipulotu was once again off target with the kick but Worcester were one try away from a bonus point as they led 15-9. It just got better for the visitors when, two minutes later, Richard Jarman orchestrated a fine move which led to a richly deserved try for Murdoch. Tuipulotu kicked his first points of the game to put Worcester 22-9 up.

Lee slotted home his fourth penalty of the game soon after to narrow the deficit to 10 points and the home side were further boosted after 55 minutes when Christian Evans was sent to the sin bin for kicking the ball away.

However, Worcester showed their steel to hold out with a man down for 10 minutes before Mathew Back bagged their fifth try of the match after great work by the impressive Va'a. Tuipulotu converted to end the scoring at 29-12. The victory was Worcester's fourth in succession at Old Deer Park but, more importantly, it showed this side are capable of turning on the style in the very worst conditions away from home.

Worcester: Back (Calder 73), Tuipulotu, Murdoch, Keil, McLean, Va'a, Jarman, Windo, Lamerton (Moretti 80), Lyman, Sims, Zaltzman, Evans, Carter (Broughton 76), Fryday.