Rotherham 38 Worcester13

THE crestfallen expressions on Worcester's doughty travelling support said it all as they walked away from Millmoor utterly confused.

True enough, the 'game of two halves' clich is well worn in sporting circles but nothing could quite prepare you for the Jekyll and Hyde proportions of this title showdown.

For Worcester looked to be on their way -- on course for something quite spectacular in Yorkshire. They were 40 minutes from an historic victory and had Rotherham exactly where they wanted them -- going for the throat.

With Werner Swanepoel and the inspired Tim Walsh running the show, Worcester took everything Rotherham threw at them and returned it with interest. Walsh and Jon Benson had traded two penalties apiece before Chris Garrard attempted to etch his name in Sixways folklore. We've been treated to some exquisite tries this season but this 32nd minute score, at the home of the champions, had you off your seat for the sheer drama.

Walsh, in space, found Hugo Southwell who moved the ball onto Adrian Olver. The pass give Garrard some room but the winger still had plenty to do with two men left to beat. But, coming in from the touchline, he simply blew away Alfie To'oala before cutting inside to leave Mike Umaga trailing in his wake. The Australian scorched through and dived over before erupting in sheer delight.

It was a champagne moment for all involved and, as Walsh added the conversion, the unbelievers all at once began to have faith that the demons of the past could once and for all be laid to rest in the White Rose county -- the venue of such previous desolation.

And they could have had more. With Walsh's sublime inside passes to Gary Trueman time and time again fooling the Rotherham midfield, Worcester were camped inside the 22 with five minutes of the half left. First Jim Jenner almost burst his way through before Nnamdi Ezulike wasted a glorious chance to inflict more pain on the Rotherham psyche. The referee's half time whistle was greeted by rapturous noise by the magnificent Gold'n'Blue support as Worcester went in 13-6 ahead. In reality, though, it might as well have been a death knell.

Rotherham emerged for the second half in total contrast to the side so demoralised only 10 minutes earlier. Straight from the kick-off, they stole Worcester ball and rammed into the visitors' pack from the very first minute. Indeed, if Swanepoel's try-saving tackle hadn't arrived, they would have scored in that first minute of the re-start such was their reinvigoration.

Worcester just could not stem the tide. Dan Zaltzman did his best to divert the flow somewhat with a crunching tackle on To'oala which saw the man mountain have to leave the field for stitches.

But with Worcester inexplicably losing possession at every opportunity, because of indiscipline, the wave of pressure had to count eventually. Benson reduced the gap to 13-9 with a 46th minute penalty before Garrard pulled off a stunning tackle to deny James Craig.

It simply had to come though. Rotherham drove forward and, as the ball was slickly passed through the backs, Joe Ewens squeezed through to start the Millmoor misery for Worcester. Benson's conversion was slotted and the home side led for the first time in the match. The intensity in their play made it seem as though they had numbers on their opposition every time they went forward. That illusion was soon to turn to reality as Worcester's world fell apart in the space of two minutes.

Rotherham were on top but the game was far from finished especially with Walsh speeding through the midfield at every opportunity. However, after Mark Gabey's 64th minute yellow card and Garrard's fall from grace two minutes later -- the title showdown quickly turned into a no-contest.

Gabey was sin-binned somewhat harshly for infringing around the ruck and Garrard's high challenge on Jacob Rauluni was dealt with by a straight red from referee Martin Fox who found himself caught up in the cauldron of an atmosphere.

From that point it was all over and just a case of damage limitation. But there was to be none and Rotherham's pack swamped Worcester's, driving them over for another two tries through Chris Johnson and Nick Lloyd.

The final indignity came when Michael Wood got away from his man and set up the bonus point try for Mike Schmid as Rotherham poured salt in Worcester's rather painful wound.

In truth, the final scoreline didn't reflect the game but by the end, the full time whistle came as relief for Sixways supporters who had been vociferous throughout -- rocking Millmoor with their noise.

The bewilderment on their faces told the story as they stood absolutely stunned. Their side had taken them to the very heights of expectation before dumping them into an abyss of frustration and despondency.

"It's those supporters I feel sorry for," said director of rugby John Brain afterwards. "They've had to endure quite a bit of this and we maybe thought these times were over. We're trying to put these times behind us but we haven't managed it."

Worcester: Roke 6; Ezulike 5, Southwell 6, Trueman 7, Garrard 8; NWALSH 9, Swanepoel 7; Windo 6, Hall 6, Olver 7, Zaltzman 7, Gillies 7, Gabey 7, N Mason 6, Jenner 6.

Replacements: O'Reilly, Higgins, Richardson, Pearson, Lyman, Morgan 6 (Gillies 57), Bates.

Man of the match: Tim Walsh -- Worcester's most influential player by a mile.