Saturday, October 28, 2000

WORCESTER were singing in the rain as they kept up their 100 per cent record in Nat-ional Division One with a 32-19 win at Waterloo on Saturday.

Adrian Skeggs' men dominated from the off with a solid first-half display and at times a rampant performance in the second period as they notched up five tries to claim five league points.

In absolutely atrocious conditions, Worcester served up a treat for the travelling faithful who, once again, backed their side with some fine vocal support.

As the wind and rain swirled around the Blundellsands ground, kicking proved to be a problem for the fly-halves and Tony Yapp, making his first start of the season, began the game with a missed penalty from a difficult angle.

However, he made up for the miss with three points on 20 minutes to get Worcester on their way.

Yapp began to get into his stride and set up a number of attacks with some fine kicking.

Indeed, the visitors should have scored the first try sooner than they did only to take the wrong option time after time.

The turning point came in the 34th minute when Martin O'Keefe was sin-binned for persistent pulling down in the maul.

Within a minute, Worcester's pack once again showed their power as Andrew Lamerton went in for a pushover try.

Yapp missed the conversion as Worcester went into the break 8-0 up. Skipper Alistair Murdoch, once again, was the inspiration early in the second half when he burst through three challenges to set up Spencer Bromley on the left for a try.

Yapp was again off-target with the kick but, as the rain began to sheet down, Worcester moved through the gears.

Richard Jarman, playing his first full game for the Sixways side, was next in on the try scoring act when, after fine work from the pack, he pounced in the corner.

Yapp this time slotted the conversion with the most difficult of the afternoon.

South African Rudi Keil, also making his debut after his Sixways move this week, then announced himself with an interception and a magnificent 50-yard run before passing to Murdoch for a great try soon after.

Yapp added the points to put the visitors 27-0 midway through the second half.

Murdoch's try - Worcester's fourth of the day - ensured a precious bonus point and a job well done.

However, it was almost as if the players switched off for the final 20 minutes as the home side ran in three tries through Matt Holt, Chris Wolfenden and Dave Telford.

However, Worcester woke up in the final few minutes and Jarman scored the try of the match to take his tally to two for the game.

With Leeds keeping up the pressure on Worcester with five points at Coventry, it was an enjoyable day for the league leaders as they prepare for their Tetley Bitter Cup fourth round test at Tynedale on Saturday.

Worcester: Back, Baxter, Murdoch, Keil, Bromley, Yapp, Jarman, Lyman, Lamerton, Collins, Zaltzman, Sims (Webster 74), Fryday, Carter, Merlin (Broughton 64).