Sunday, September 5, 2004

THERE was no fairytale ending but instead a hefty dose of reality at Sixways.

Not that anyone was under any illusion at Worcester before kick-off.

Universally, everybody accepted that this season would provide a steep learning curve for the National One champions.

The question is -- just how quickly can they adapt to the exhaustive pace of the Premiership?

There were positives to pull out for Worcester such as their set piece success and their sheer work-rate but the harsh lessons to be learnt will be to play until the end and to take chances when they present themselves.

Worcester stayed in touch with a side, who should push for the title this season, for 65 minutes before the game was killed off and, after a dream start, led the Falcons 6-0 for the opening minutes.

However, come the final whistle, Newcastle had demonstrated their speed of thought and cutting edge while Worcester -- as is utterly understandable for Premiership newcomers -- looked a little green.

The key now for Worcester is to sharpen up in the business end of the park. It's an old clich but, having moved up to the big time, the difference between winning and losing largely depends on how sharp you are and the Warriors looked a tad blunt.

Shorn of Ben Hinshelwood, after the club skipper awoke with a bad back, it was Dale Rasmussen -- his replacement -- who lacked the composure at the vital moment.

The Samoan had a golden opportunity to put in Thomas Lombard for Worcester's opening try after seven minutes but his pass came with an X-rated certificate and the chance had gone.

It was a reminder that the plethora of chances, which used to be on offer in National One, are no longer an option. This season, composure at both ends of the field will be pre-requisites of Premiership survival.

James Brown personified that composure for much of the game and his two early three-pointers within the opening 13 minutes gave the scoreline a healthy look with Rob Andrew's men visibly rattled by the pace of Worcester's game.

However, as Newcastle began to stretch the Worcester defence, Jonny Wilkinson -- making his return in front of the media gaze -- gave the Falcons a foothold with a penalty before Mike McCarthy sliced his way through the Sixways midfield and Wilkinson's conversion put the visitors 10-6 ahead.

With the sun burning down, the emotional start had taken its toll by the end of the half and two more penalties, from you know who, gave Newcastle a cushion at the break.

Ultimately, Worcester found the second-half a much tougher affair as the Falcons began to find some rhythm. Replacement Tommy Hayes' penalty put Worcester back within reach with 17 minutes left, but tries from Mark Mayerhofler and Stuart Grimes were both converted by Wilkinson as the scoreline reached the 30 mark.

Craig Gillies' outstanding show in the line-out will give Worcester more heart as they look toward Sunday's showdown at Saracens and, on this evidence, the Warriors are not about to do a Rotherham.

Worcester, however, will be keen to shed the tag of plucky losers as quickly as possible. Yesterday was a wonderful day for the club but, you have to suspect, the hard graft starts now.

Worcester: O'Leary 6; Gollings 7, Rasmussen 6, Trueman 6, Lombard 5; Brown 7, Cole 6; Windo 6, Daly 6, Lyman 6, Collier 7, LGILLIES 8, Greeff 6, Sanderson 7, Hickey 6.

Replacements: Noon 6 (Lyman 28), Fortey 6 (Windo 51), Murphy 6 (Collier 64), MacLeod-Henderson 6 (Greeff 43), Stuart-Smith 5 (Cole 51), Hayes 6 (Trueman 61), Delport.

Attendance: 8,477.

Man of the match: CRAIG GILLIES - another fine display by the big man, securing Worcester ball and disrupting much of Newcastle's.