Fortey to stay on for rest of season (From Worcester News)

Fortey to stay on for rest of season

7:00am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in WCCC By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

SPECULATION over the future of Warriors stalwart Chris Fortey has been ended with the Sixways hooker today signing a contract extension.

Fortey appeared to have ended his six-year connection with Worcester after being told he wouldn’t get a new contract at the end of last season. But the club subsequently had a change of heart and handed him a six-month deal, which was set to expire next month.

The former Gloucester front-rower, who has played 152 games for Warriors since making the switch from his hometown club in 2005, has done enough this term to persuade head coach Richard Hill to keep him on until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old, who is also forwards coach at Stour-bridge, remains one of the all-time record appearance makers in the history of the Aviva Premiership having played more than 200 games in the top-flight.

Fortey revealed he had offers on the table from two other Premiership clubs, but insisted he always wanted to remain at Warriors and help the club push on.

He said: “I’m really happy to be staying until the end of the season. When I signed the six-month contract I always had a thought deep down that, if I pushed myself, I could extend my stay.

“There were other offers, but I wanted to see this season through and this has become my home.

“As long as you have got that hunger and competitiveness then there is no reason why you can’t keep pushing yourself and others around you to get better.

“There is often a massive stigma around age, but I am still enjoying my rugby and training in a competitive nature. I want to be playing and I will be doing all I can for the rest of this season to do just that.”

Sixways chief Hill added: “Chris is a hugely valued member of our squad. Both on and off the field, he has a big impact for the Warriors and we are really pleased he will remain with us.

“Chris is a fantastic mentor for the younger members of the squad, but his hunger for rugby also remains as strong as ever and he is fighting for a place in the team every week.”

Meanwhile, Fijian new boy Ravi Fatiaki made his debut as Worcester Cavaliers lost 33-22 to Leicester Tigers in the Aviva ‘A’ League at Sixways.

Tom Arscott, Chris Pennell and Andy Short grabbed tries for the hosts, who produced a strong second-half display, but the Cavaliers were always playing catch-up after a storming start from the Tigers.