Saturday, April 26, 2003

THE enigma that is Duncan Roke again underlined his potency at National One level as Worcester ended the season on a high.

Roke, who finished the campaign as the league's top try scorer on 26 for the season, was just too much for already relegated Rugby as he outfoxed their defence four times.

While the display was testament to his threat against most defences in National One, it once again posed the question of temperament in the matches which matter.

Two weeks ago against Rotherham, the full back froze to the horror of coaches Andy Keast and John Brain. And after Saturday's foursome display, Brain pointed out the frustrations that players can inflict.

"Duncan can play very well against Rugby Lions and against the teams in the bottom echelons of this league," he said.

"I'm sure what Duncan realises is that there is a league within a league in this division. It's all about performing against the top four sides. When you can do that you know you have a good chance of playing well in the Premiership. Duncan needs to be in that type of environment, have some good games in pressure situations so that he believes he can actually do it. He would go from strength to strength then. Everyone knows he can play well against most of the teams in National One.

"Duncan did very well today but that's nothing more than we would expect against the bottom side in the division."

Worcester illustrated just why Rugby finished the season without a league win as they ran in 12 tries to record their biggest victory of the campaign. It was a professional display illuminated by Roke's efforts but also an impressive farewell Worcester appearance by Craig Quinnell who weighed in with a brace of tries. Quinnell will return to Cardiff once his short-term Sixways contract expires this week but his substitute appearances in the past two weeks have been his best since his January arrival.

By the time Quinnell took to the field at Webb Ellis Road, Worcester were already out of sight. Roke had collected his four tries while Chris Garrard and David Officer helped themselves to one apiece. The ultra accurate James Brown hit six out of six conversions before a second half injury cut short his afternoon.

Ironically, it was Rugby who started the game better. They found themselves 10-0 up after eight minutes as James Baker's strong running gave Worcester a problem and the supporting Phil Reed was on hand to touch down. Jon Bowden's conversion, to add to his third minute penalty, put the home side in charge. Indeed, after Worcester had hit back with Roke's first of the day, Bowden went up the other end to dive over, add the conversion as Rugby led 17-7.

That, though, was as good as it got for the basement boys. Worcester's pack was dominant as they drove forward at will, setting up chances for the backs throughout the first half. Indeed, the score would have eclipsed the 42-17 half time score if Worcester had put their foot fully on the gas.

The second half saw the continued dominance from the pack. Quinnell dived over twice while their was a notable try from academy graduate Stewart Pearl. Winger Tom Richardson sped over and Worcester were even awarded a penalty try amid the deluge. The best moment belonged to lock Craig Gillies, however, as he sprinted 50 metres for a picture-book try, much to the amusement of the Worcester bench. Replacement fly half Craig Chalmers added two conversions but the final word came from the hosts who scored their third try of the day courtesy of Alex Taylor.

Worcester: NROKE 8, Richardson 6, Officer 7, Trueman 6, Garrard 6, Brown 7, O'Reilly 6; Windo 6, Hall, Olver 7, Zaltzman 7, Gillies 7, Gabey 7, Evans 6, Jenner 6.

Replacements: Chalmers 6 (Brown 51), Southwell 5 (Garrard 56), Ogilvie-Bull 5 (Trueman 60), Pearl 7 (Hall 6), G Mason 6 (Windo 57), N Mason, Quinnell 7 (Zaltzman 48).

Man of the match: Duncan Roke -- just too much for Rugby Lions.