Crociati Parma 3 Worcester Warriors 34 (From Worcester News)

Crociati Parma 3 Worcester Warriors 34

7:34pm Sunday 20th November 2011 in Match Reports

CHRIS Pennell grabbed a brace of tries as Warriors opened their European account by easing past Banca Monte Crociati Parma in horrendous weather conditions at Stadio XXV Aprile in Northern Italy.

Pennell, in-form wing Josh Drauniniu and Tom Arscott wrap-ped up the crucial bonus point by the break, but that was only half the story of a dramatic opening 40 minutes in the Amlin Cup.

The game was hit by thick freezing fog that descended as the first-half wore on and two-try hero Pennell revealed afterwards that the fixture had been in some doubt and was close to being abandoned as conditions worsened.

However, both teams continued to battle in the second-half as the fog lingered but did not get any worse and Worcester were rewarded for their endeavour with a last minute try from Ben Gulliver to ensure they took five points home.

After the opening defeat to Stade Francais the bonus point was always the crucial factor and Warriors secured that by half-time with a display that was crucially clinical as the fog closed in against a young Italian side that were never short of endeavour.

Warriors had made 10 changes from the team that lost out to Stade in the opening round of the competition, with fly-half Danny Gray and centre Sione Tu’ipulotu handed first starts for the club.

Both were immediately involved in the opening score of the night after six minutes as Tu’ipulotu crashed into contact in midfield and won a penalty for not rolling away off the Scottish officials that Gray comfortably slotted over for an early advantage.

Drauniniu, fresh from his four-try burst against Sale Jets on Monday night, threatened a stunning score from inside his own half as he ghosted five shellshocked tacklers, but his offload to Pennell on his left shoulder just failed to find hands.

Gulliver was alert to break into space before play was held up by a hamstring injury to Adam Balding who hobbled off to be replaced by Jake Abbott.

Worcester scored the opening try when a line-out drive saw the Italians mercilessly shunted back before the ball was spun down the short side by Arr to Drauniniu who tore in under the posts.

A superbly worked try saw Andy Short break down the right and send Arscott into space.

The wing chipped ahead for Pennell to spick up and touch down for a 17-0 lead.

A yellow card to home lock Michael Van Vuren, for persistent infringement at the breakdown, made the task even harder for Crociati and Arscott raced in for a superb solo effort.

Home scrum-half Jucopo Zucconi opened the home account with a penalty just after the half hour, but back came Warriors as Chris Fortey and Bruce Douglas carried strongly before Pennell grabbed his second of the night, and the bonus point, for a 27-3 half-time lead.

With the extra point already wrapped up, Warriors made a string of changes at the start of the second-half as both teams continued to try and play as the fog held and did not deteriorate any further.

The impressive Sam Betty unloaded a typically robust tackle in midfield to drill the hosts back as they continued to look to play expansive rugby.

Gulliver was always busy in the line-out to repeatedly steal possession, but the game was now slowly being hit by the weather that was making it difficult to see.

The final play of the match saw a high up-and-under from Andy Goode fall into the grateful arms of Gulliver who slid over for his first try for the club.

Warriors: Douglas, Fortey (Hayes 40), Tomaszczyk (Currie 38), Gulliver, Gillies (Lutui 40), Betty, Kvesic, Balding (Abbott 11); Arr (Frost 40), Gray (Goode 40); Drauniniu, Tu’ipulotu, Short, Arscott (Benjamin 40), Pennell. Replacements: Hayes, Taumoepeau, Currie, Abbott, Lutui, Frost, Goode, Benjamin