Saturday, November 20, 2004

WORCESTER finished last weekend looking utterly bereft of hope at the bottom of the Premiership.

This was some turnaround at Franklin's Gardens.

The Warriors gloriously secured their first Premiership victory away from Sixways with a performance which oozed character and spirit -- something which would have seemed inconceivable to onlookers after last Saturday's beating by Leicester.

This was another reminder, though, that there is always another day and an opportunity for redemption. Worcester grasped it and their season, in so many respects, was re-born at the home of the Saints.

Granted, Northampton looked a nervous wreck throughout this clash as they suffered their eighth consecutive defeat, but Worces-ter's game-plan was spot-on and the execution even more impressive.

The tackle count was immense, the pack colossal, while the half-back pairing of Tommy Hayes and Matt Powell controlled proceedings with simple, intelligent rugby. In short, this was the very antithesis of last weekend.

Once Giscard Pieters powered his way to the line, just before the half-hour, for the only try of the match, the self belief, so battered in recent weeks, came flooding back and suddenly Worcester looked as one.

Ultimately, Northampton resembled a beaten, weary excuse for a team who had battered against Worcester's rearguard all afternoon and come away with just two Paul Grayson penalties. It was a dark day indeed for head coach Alan Solomons who looks likely to be receiving his P45 in the very near future.

Pieters' try and Hayes' two penalties gave the visitors an 11-3 lead at the break and, although their finishing was impressive, their defensive organisation, set-piece prowess and sheer grit stood out almost as much as Northampton's witless approach.

How Worcester repelled a second-half barrage was anybody's guess because, in truth, the Saints should have bagged at least one try. They dominated possession for much of the half but Worcester held on with the rejuvenated Hayes twice called upon for last-ditch tackles.

Once they got into Saints territory, though, they made it count. The Sixways fly half -- in because of James Brown's neck injury -- tickled over a 67th minute drop goal to deflate the momentum built on Grayson's second penalty on the hour. It proved to be a key moment, especially once replacement Shane Drahm's own effort, soon after, rebounded off the post and into safety.

By the time Hayes had added his third penalty of the afternoon, with three minutes remaining, the Saints faithful were already trudging disconsolately home.

However, when the final whistle rang out, Sixways elation engulfed Franklin's Gardens as players and coaches embraced one another in a show of unity.

Worcester may have remained bottom of the table on Saturday evening but, you sensed, this victory meant more to them than mere points.

Finally, these Warriors can believe they belong in the top flight.

After this, anything is possible.

Worcester: Delport 8; O'Leary 6 (Sampson 45, 7), Rasmussen 8 (Trueman 78), Lombard 8, Pieters 8; Hayes 8, Powell 7; Windo 7 (Sparks 60), Daly 8 (Van Niekerk 53, 7), Horsman 8, Collier 7, Gillies 8, Gabey 6 (Vaili 47), Sanderson 7, Hickey 9 (MacLeod-Henderson 78). Replacements not used: Cole.

Man of the match: Drew Hickey -- massive tackle count but, in truth, there were so many candidates.

Attendance: 11,208.

Referee: David Rose (RFU).