Saturday, April 29

JUST as it looked like Warriors' season was beginning to peter out into anticlimax, they put on a breathless show-stopping performance that the home supporters will remember for years to come.

There was a carnival atmosphere all day at a sunny Sixways and despite Newcastle's best efforts to be party-poopers, it was Worcester's day.

It was always going to be an emotional occasion with French centre Thomas Lombard playing his last match in front of the Worcester faithful, who have adopted him as one of their favourite sons in the last two years.

Another Sixways hero, hooker Andre Van Niekerk, received a standing ovation when he came on as a late replacement for his farewell appearance.

But, despite all the mutual adulation, the hosts never lost their focus on the job in hand and were deserving winners in a gripping game of rugby which produced nine tries.

Admittedly, five of those came from the Falcons and, but for some wayward kicking, they would have inflicted a fourth consecutive defeat on Warriors.

But that would have been hard on a side that produced some thrilling rugby. Scrum-half Nick Runciman had an impressive competitive debut and although he spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin, he also marked the occasion with a fine try.

It did not look too good for the rookie number nine early on when his late delivery into the scrum allowed Newcastle to win it against the head but he showed great character and composure to steady his nerves after that.

While Runciman could have few complaints about the yellow card he received for hands in the ruck, he made a great try-saving tackle just moments before.

"He played very well for his first Premiership start," said Worcester director of rugby John Brain. "Players like him obviously get limited opportunities. You get the `A' League and you are confined to that really.

"But he stepped in with injuries to the other scrum-halves and acquitted himself very well. Next season we will have four very good scrum-halves."

The match could not have started better for Warriors, who put the first try on the board when Shane Drahm teed up Kai Horstmann in the corner.

And they doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Gary Trueman bounced off a couple of attempted tackles to score following good work from Thinus Delport.

Trueman then showed his defensive qualities as he bundled Jamie Noon over the dead-ball line as he tried to touch down after superb work from England Sevens star Mathew Tait.

Drahm struck a penalty that appeared to be going miles left before it swung back in miraculously to give Warriors a 15-point cushion.

Newcastle hit back when fly-half Toby Flood collected his own chip to score.

But they lost momentum when Tait was sin-binned for killing the ball. Pat Sanderson drove over for Worcester's third try after an incision by Delport to give them an 18-point lead at half-time.

England star Jonny Wilkinson entered the fray after the interval and his side were given an instant lift when a piercing run by Matt Burke gave them their second try. But then Runciman sniped his way over the line from close range after a clever dummy to ensure Worcester's bonus point.

James Brown replaced Drahm at half-time but despite little match time in recent weeks, he gave a measured kicking display. Brown's conversion and a penalty gave Warriors a 20-point advantage.

They almost let it slip with Falcons scoring tries through Mike McCarthy and Tom May but it was too late to spoil the party and deny Worcester a vital win.

WARRIORS: Delport, Oduoza, Rasmussen (Whatling), Lombard, Trueman, Drahm, Runciman, Windo (MacDonald), C Fortey (Van Niekerk), L Fortey, Murphy, Gillies (O'Donoghue), Sanderson, Harding (Hickey), Horstmann.

SCORERS: Tries: Horstmann, Trueman, Sanderson, Runciman. Conversions: Drahm (two), Brown. Penalties: Drahm (two), Brown.

Warriors Man-of-the-match: Gary Trueman.

Referee: Ashley Rowden.

Attendance: 9,726.