Worcester 56 Henley 18

SCOTT Barrow announced himself on the Union stage with a stunning display as Worcester Rugby Club ran out 56-18 winners over Henley Hawks to keep them top of National One.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Sixways from Rugby League giants St Helens in November, looked a class apart on his first-team debut and set up four tries with some slick, inventive passing.

Barrow, who was only in for his debut after an injury to Laulala Langkilde and illness to Rudi Keil, stole the show despite Sateki Tuipulotu's hat-trick of tries and a points tally of 31.

The Tongan international certainly came close to man of the match with his faultless display but it was the former Saints man who most Sixways fans were discussing after the match.

His interplay with Earl Va'a, Alistair Murdoch and Chris Simpson-Daniel was a joy to watch and belied his youth and his lack of Union experience.

His performance was certainly too much for Henley who could not keep up with his ideas and movement all afternoon.

Worcester went into the match knowing, with second-placed Leeds Tykes involved in a home-banker with Otley, they had to take a bonus-point from the match to keep their five-point lead at the top intact.

And they started with the high-tempo game that coach Adrian Skeggs has been wanting for the past few weeks.

Tuipulotu began the ball rolling with two early penalties before Matt Jones brought the visitors to within three points after 10 minutes.

However, with the home side needing inspiration for the first try, they found it in the shape of Va'a. His delicious chip into the right-hand corner gave Tuipulotu his opening touch down of the afternoon as he ran through to gobble up the chance created by the Samoan star.

It was typical Va'a and the players' response showed what they thought of the kick as they surrounded him to celebrate.

Barrow then came more and more into the game with a number of jinking runs and incise passing as the centre began to revel in his role.

His fine pass put in Tuipulotu for his second try just after the half hour as Worcester began to turn the screw. Tuipulotu's conversion from the tightest of angles put the icing on the cake as Worcester went 18-3 up.

Five minutes later, Barrow fed Murdoch for the skipper's first try and a Tuipulotu conversion made it 25-3.

The league leaders then made sure of the bonus point when Christian Evans charged down a defensive kick to bag a converted try right on half-time.

However, there was still time for the visitors to make an impact on the game as Holloway got in front of Nick Baxter to score and Jones converted as the teams went in at 32-10.

It was to be Baxter's last involvement of the game after suffering a head injury and Keil came on to replace him in the second period.

Murdoch took Baxter's place on the wing as the South African struck up an immediate centre partnership with Barrow.

And the form of the pair plus the power of Murdoch on the wing could mean a return to the sidelines for Baxter after only just winning his place back.

Indeed, Worcester began the second half with the same hunger and desire and were duly rewarded with a try on 42 minutes.

A brilliant reverse pass from Barrow put in Andy Collins who set up Tuipulotu for his hat-trick on the right. He converted his own try to make it 39-10 as Skeggs began to ring the changes.

On came Tony Yapp for Va'a but any thoughts that this might stunt Worcester's inventiveness were cut short with a lively display by the former England A man.

A Jones penalty gave Henley some cheer but it merely punctuated the Worcester try surge.

And the visitors did not do themselves any favours when they were reduced to 14 men after Duncan Roke was sin-binned in the 63rd minute.

Sixty seconds later and Murdoch helped himself to his second try of the match as the home side began to run riot.

Barrow then went on a individual run before setting up Simpson-Daniel for Worcester's seventh try which was duly converted by Tuipulotu.

Rob Hegginbottom had Skeggs with his head in his hands soon after as he touched down to blot Worcester's defensive copybook.

However, the day was rounded off in fine style as Chris Hall notched his first league try for the club with a determined effort.

Worcester: Calder, Tuipulotu, Barrow, Murdoch, Baxter (Keil 40), Va'a (Yapp 48), Simpson-Daniel (Jarman 70), Windo, Lamerton (Hall 65), Collins (Hartland 70), Zaltzman (Webster 65), Sims, Evans, Mather, Fryday (Carter 70).