Saturday, April 3, 2004

IN an instant the ghosts of the past were laid to rest.

Referee Geraint Ashton-Jones blew the final whistle and Sixways stood to acclaim its heroes.

Worcester were champions and only a step away from the Premiership.

The formalities of that step -- a ground audit to decide on their capabilities of hosting premier rugby -- should be completed later today but Saturday was all about getting things right on the field. They did that so spectacularly that the quality of rugby itself dwarfed the rapturous celebrations afterwards. It was a champion performance from a championship team.

True enough, Bristol were authors of their own downfall in some respects but Worcester's tempo and execution would have had the beating of any opponent this league had to offer.

It was an appropriate way to conclude matters in front of a sceptical media who simply wanted to know how many of these players would be jettisoned for the ensuing Premiership campaign. Disrespectful? Of course, but the question for the wider world is will Worcester cut it in the top flight?

For me, that was utterly irrelevant on Saturday. It was all about the squad who have re-written the history books at National One level. It was about giving these champions the credit they deserve not an occasion to sneer at their achievement.

For the uninitiated, getting out of this league takes some doing and to ignore that underlines the contemptuous attitude towards National One around the game. Yes, there will be changes but let the guys enjoy their moment first.

Bristol made all the right noises before the match but, in truth, they were never equipped to spoil the party. Once Gary Trueman had taken advantage of Tommy Hayes' inside pass to scorch through for an eighth minute try, the champagne was already being sipped. Further first half tries from Hayes, Tony Windo and Duncan Roke followed and, in between, came a scintillating 60-metre burst from winger Chris Garrard who beat four men on the way to a classic try.

You knew it was coming from the moment the Australian took the ball but Bristol just couldn't stop it as he carved through the defence before dummying his way to the line. It was a moment of magic from the likeable Aussie and once again underlined just how dangerous Worcester's backs are in broken play.

Bristol's best moments came from a converted Marko Stanojevic try and a Brett Davey penalty but they never suggested at anything more than damage limitation.

Worcester's sheer speed and handling quality dictated that phases meant prizes and Trueman's action replay try, three minutes into the second half, was a sure sign that the Warriors were playing their cards right against a Bristol defence which seemed clueless to stem the flow.

Ben Daly and Garrard again went over before Ben Hinshelwood's 71st minute try took Worcester past the 1,000 points mark for the season. Roke sped away for the 10th try before Hayes' conversion gave him nine for the day. A late James Bailey try for Bristol was never going to dampen the celebrations as Sixways erupted on Ashton-Jones' prompt.

With the crowd treated to a lap of honour from their gladiators, they then bayed for the pitch-side appearance of their king -- chairman Cecil Duckworth.

"That was a nice moment," he admitted afterwards. "It was very emotional because it's been the culmination of 10 years hard work. The crowd's response, though, took me a little by surprise but I think that underlines the togetherness we have now at Worcester."

"It's a very satisfying achievement," added director of rugby John Brain.

"I think it was also pleasing to play some quality rugby on such an occasion because it set up the celebrations.

"I'd like to pay tribute to the chairman for his support but also to coach Andy Keast. He's a fantastic coach but what sums up his commitment for me is that he's travelled up from London now for two years.

"That is a tough journey over and over again and he's been fully committed to Worcester through the good and the bad times.

"The coaching staff and the players have delivered part of the dream for Cecil Duckworth. It's only a part because he wants Worcester to be a top team in England and in Europe.

"We're on our way to part two now -- we'll be playing Premiership rugby next season."

Underachievers? Perennial bridesmaids? Well not anymore. The world better think of a new tag next season.

Worcester are finally where they belong.

Worcester: O'Leary 7; Garrard 8, Hinshelwood 7, Trueman 8, Hylton 6; Hayes 8, Powell 8; Windo 7, Daly 8, Lyman 6, Gabey 6, Gillies 7, Evans 7, Pfister 7, LHICKEY 9.

Replacements: Cole 7 (Powell 55), Brown 8 (Trueman 50), Roke 7 (Hylton 35), Hall 6 (Daly 63), Fortey 7 (Lyman 42), Zaltzman 6 (Gabey 63), Bates 7 (Pfister 55).

Man of the match: DREW HICKEY - he just gets better and better.