Saturday, September 22, 2001

IF the horrific events in America have made us question the role of sport in a society still in mourning, Saturday gave us a stark reminder of just what our games can do for the soul.

Sport, as we know well enough, is a workable metaphor for the best and the worst of life itself, and sometimes, as at Sixways, gloriously so.

Worcester's 20-18 win over Rotherham will go down in folklore as one of the most enthralling events ever witnessed at the club by the 4,231 lucky enough to be there.

It was one of those matches when the hairs on the back of your neck danced as the electrically charged atmosphere took hold of you.

With ten minutes left, Worcester were hanging on. Following a first half, won 17-13, Tony Yapp's delicious drop goal was all the home side had to show for their efforts as they were pinned in their own half by a rampant Rotherham team. Mike Umaga's 71st minute try put them just two points adrift after Ramiro Pez's conversion had sailed agonisingly wide for the then leaders of National One.

And then it came. Fifteen minutes of absolute onslaught. Wave after wave of pressure from the visiting backs as they threw the ball about, desperate for an opening.

Man mountain Alfie To'oala smashed his way through tackle after tackle, powering his way towards the line in a finish to test the coolest of heads. But there was always another tackle. There was always another in the way and a Worcester player ready to put his body on the line in the quest for victory. This was a must win for the club. Criticised in the past for lack of desire and character, the new model have already surpassed expectations with the grittiest of performances.

That Worcester held out in that period showed a character rarely seen in years gone by and sparked real hopes among supporters that this, at last, could be their year.

The importance of the win cannot be underestimated in the race for promotion and for a fledgling Worcester team containing so many new players. One of those newcomers, Chris Garrard, can hardly have hoped for a better start to his Sixways career.

The Australian winger scored his seventh try of the season on 16 minutes after great work from Craig Chalmers. Sateki Tuipulotu's conversion gave Worcester a platform on which to build with Rotherham temporarily a man down following Simon Bunting's yellow card.

A Tuipulotu penalty soon after put the home side in charge until John Cannon's beautifully timed run led to Rotherham's 27th minute try, converted by Pez. His penalty on 36 minutes tied the scores before another Aussie took centre stage for Worcester.

Ben Hinshelwood took advantage of more fine build-up play from Chalmers and Chris Yates before going over for another converted try. Pez's penalty, before the break, and Chalmers' subsequent departure with a hamstring injury gave Rotherham hope but substitute Yapp's drop goal and Worcester's sheer tenacity eventually won the day. It was a victory for the team but also for the club. Buoyed by fantastic support, the atmosphere complimented an exquisite game played in a spirit which does great credit to not only the Worcester camp but also Rotherham. The victory celebrations at the end will only be bettered if Worcester can take that final step this season but it was a moment to savour for all involved.

If there were any lingering concerns over the nation's appetite for sport, they were undoubtedly answered in the most resounding fashion at Sixways.

Worcester: Tuipulotu 8, Garrard 8, Hinshelwood 8, Yates 8, Stanley 8, Chalmers 8, Smith 8, Windo 8, Ross 8, Moreno 8, Zalzman 8, Morgan 8, CLARKE 9, Jones 8, Jenner 8.

Replacements: Pellow, Yapp 8 (Chalmers 40), Roke, Hall 8 (Ross 72), Lyman 8 (Moreno 64), Sims (Zaltzman 79), Evans 8 (Jenner 64).

Man of the match: BEN CLARKE - big presence on the day within a fantastic team effort.