Saturday, March 16, 2002

DUNCAN Roke added further evidence to suggest he will take some shifting from Worcester's full back spot with a stunning hat trick at Lily Hill Park.

Bracknell simply had no answer to the pace of the former Henley flyer as free-scoring Worcester ran in nine tries to register a 59-24 National One victory.

Roke, who took the 15 shirt at the beginning of the year, has even added a kicking dimension to his game to compliment a turn of pace to match the best.

His link-up play with centre Ben Hinshelwood was a joy to watch and was certainly too much for the now bottom-of-the-table Berkshire outfit.

The only sour note of the day came when news from the County Ground filtered through of Rotherham's win at Exeter which, if it was not clear beforehand, confirmed that Worcester will again be playing in National One next season.

With Bracknell staring at relegation, a visit to one of the worst playing surfaces in the league may yet be avoided next season but even if that looked a leveller, Worcester rose to the challenge.

Indeed, after three minutes it was a genuine uphill struggle as Sam Nowak touched down in the corner and David Pears converted to give Bracknell a shock 7-0 lead.

Under John Brain and Andy Keast, however, going behind for Worcester represents more of a handicapping rather than a threat of defeat with so many tries in their locker.

Nine minutes later, Richard Smith played his part in a flowing move before the rampaging Hinshelwood cut through to touchdown. Tony Yapp missed a tough conversion but was not out of the action for long as he dived in to put Worcester in front. His conversion made it 12-7 and, two minutes later, Hinshelwood was again on hand for his 17th try of the season after fine work from skipper Kingsley Jones and Christian Evans.

Another example of Keast's total rugby ethos which is now evident came in the 24th minute when, after Dave Sims won the line-out, Lyman forced his way forward before fellow front row speed merchant Tony Windo mopped up like all true predators should. Yapp converted and with the bonus point in the bag, Worcester began to enjoy themselves.

None more so than Roke. After taking a few punches from Pears, the 27-year-old came off the ropes to latch on to Yapp's chip and race away for a knockout blow. It was a glorious moment for both Roke and Yapp and one which encapsulated Worcester's newly found freedom of expression. The conversion sailed over and the visitors led 31-7. If that was good, however, Roke's next incursion was simply sublime.

Taking the ball from wide he nonchalantly beat the first man before turning on the gas. He was past another two in the blink of an eye as he imperiously reached the line for a sumptuous score. Best of the season? Quite possibly and as Yapp converted, Worcester were 38-7 up at the break.

To their credit, Bracknell never gave up despite the obvious chasm in class. No doubt Mr Motivator Keast would have demanded a doubling of the score in the half-time team talk but Worcester were forced onto the back foot early in the second period.

Nowak went over for his second on 51 minutes and it took Worcester time to re-establish their dominance. It came in the shape of Martin Morgan as the lock finished off an eye-catching move, 10 minutes later, and Yapp added the extra points. Winger Chris Garrard finally got in on the scoring act on 65 minutes when he took advantage of good work by Scott Barrow and Chris Yates. Garrard, who scored five tries against Otley last weekend, made it 20 for the season before a Yapp conversion extended the lead.

Back came Bracknell with a hat-trick and converted try from Nowak before Roke celebrated his treble with 10 minutes left.

Combining brilliantly again with Hinshelwood, Bracknell then saw the familiar sight of the number 15 racing away for an unstoppable score. With respect to Nowak's efforts, Roke's hat-trick was top drawer but rather than highlighting an individual's achievement, his three were a clear result of an outstanding team display in extremely heavy conditions.

Brain may be critical of his side's defensive concentration as hooker Finlay Bibby had the final word for the home team in the last minute, but that would be harsh on Worcester.

This was not simply a statement of a team in development. It was a promise of better things to come. Promotion may be a non-runner this season but Worcester, with this team and on such form, will start as odds-on come September.

Worcester: LROKE 9, Barrow 8, Hinshelwood 8, Yates 7, Garrard 7, Yapp 8, Smith 8; Windo 8, Ross 7, Lyman 7, Sims 8, Morgan 8, Mason 7, Jones 8, Evans 8.

Replacements: Higgins, Tuipulotu (Yates 75), Pellow, Hall 7 (Ross 62), Moreno, Soper 7 (Sims 66), Carter 7 (Mason 66).

Man of the match: Duncan Roke - Hat-trick hero amid a real team display.