Saturday, September 27, 2003

IT won't be too long before Worcester put together 80 minutes of consistent rugby and when it happens -- watch out.

Once again on Saturday they were a mixture of beauty and ugliness although the second half performance, which saw a return of just five points, had a number of mitigating factors.

London Welsh were overwhelmed by Worcester throughout but the difference in the second half was that the officials seemed happy to let them kill the game stone dead.

Let's be clear -- the Welsh were lucky to get nil in this game, so outclassed they were in all departments. However, the fact that they were able to slow the match down to crawling pace and deny Worcester quick ball with a masterclass of gamesmanship meant the Warriors left the field frustrated with their own inability to overcome such conditions.

There was no such concern in the first half. Worcester, aided by a lineout which worked to perfection, enjoyed a feast of possession and fashioned chances at will. Drew Hickey -- in for his first start since his summer move from Orrell -- won the lineout ball after three minutes and, when James Brown's looped pass found Christian Evans, the flanker had the easiest of jobs to dash in on the left.

Twelve minutes later and there was almost an action replay. Hickey won lineout ball, Brown was again involved and wing Daren O'Leary sped in. Tommy Hayes added the extra points and Worcester were flying.

Gavin Pfister has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season and it was the South African who increased the lead soon after. Another lineout win, drive and Pfister was over.

The Welsh had consistently sailed close to the wind in the lead up to Tim Collier's 34th minute yellow card. But when it happened, they could have few complaints after a blatant 'professional' foul.

Worcester took full advantage as another drive took them on to the Welsh goal line. The ball was flipped out to Brown who found the on-rushing Gary Trueman with a delightful inside pass and the centre duly went under the posts for the bonus point try. Hayes was spot on with the conversion as the Warriors led 24-0.

There was still time for another as Trueman, via a sumptuous move, found hooker Ben Daly who powered home just before the break.

Due to the damage limitation ethos of the visitors, the second half was unlikely ever to hit the heights of the first. Indeed, the only moment of quality saw O'Leary double his tally after another Trueman assist with nine minutes left.

The inconsistencies of the officials were another reminder of just how difficult it is to get out of this league. The trick for Worcester is to overcome such hurdles because, with the standard unlikely to improve in the near future, it is an opponent they will meet with bewildering regularity.

Worcester: Roke 6; O'Leary 6, Hayes 7, Trueman 8, Garrard 6; LBROWN 9, Powell 6; Windo 7, Daly 8, Lyman 7, Gabey 7, Gillies 7, C Evans 7, Pfister 7, Hickey 8.

Replacements: Swanepoel 6 (Powell 52), Davies 6 (Roke 66), Murray 6 (Hayes 66), Hansen, Fortey 6 (Windo 66), M Evans (Pfister 66) 6, Mason (C Evans 73).

Man of the match: JAMES BROWN - passing was back to his best.

Attendance: 2,580

Referee: Nigel Higginson.