Friday, November 27, 2004

WORCESTER lifted themselves out of the Premiership drop zone with an exhilarating 27-24 win over European champions Wasps last night.

The Warriors moved up to 10th in the table -- above Harlequins and Northampton -- after the three-try victory at Sixways.

Dale Rasmussen, Giscard Pieters and Tim Collier all went over in the first-half as Worcester led 24-10 at the break following Stuart Abbott's converted opener for the visitors.

Fly-half Tommy Hayes' second-half penalty, to add to his three conversions and a first-half three-pointer, eventually proved enough as the Warriors held on for a priceless victory.

Wasps hit back with two tries from Ayoola Erinle to set up a frantic finish, but the Premiership champions couldn't complete the comeback, much to the delight of head coach Andy Keast.

"The players deserve the accolades because they were fantastic," he said.

"It was very exciting for the supporters and the people watching on television and I think we thoroughly deserved the victory.

"You come into the Premiership -- that's the first goal - and then you want to play the best.

"Wasps are the best and my players, from the first minute, were on the front foot. The forwards gave us the platform and played with fantastic commitment.

"We've come off the rails a couple of weeks ago and everybody wanted to throw the towel in. That was ridiculous.

"This was a massive performance. The players have shown they are a quality side, they can compete with the best and take it to anyone.

"They're not frightened of anyone."

Wasps' director of rugby Warren Gatland admitted that his side had been "embarrassed" in the first half but had no regrets about putting out a marginally weakened team. Matt Dawson was rested, while Lawrence Dallaglio was only named as a replacement.

However, Worcester were well worth their victory. They pushed their lofty opposition around in the first half and caused Wasps numerous problems as they turned over ball in crucial areas.

Rasmussen's and Collier's tries came because of forward pressure while Pieters looked a class act as he powered in for his touchdown.

"Wasps are a side that never give up," added Worcester's prop Chris Horsman who enjoyed another powerful display.

"They are packed full of quality players and we knew at half-time that even though we were up, you don't put Wasps to bed at the break.

"We knew we needed an 80 plus minute performance. It got a bit frantic towards the end but we have belief in ourselves as a team and as a squad.

"There is a growing belief here that we have the ability to finish 11th or above in the table."

Worcester: Delport 7, O'Leary 6 (Sampson, 25, 7), Rasmussen 8, Lombard 7, Pieters 8, Hayes 7, Powell 8, Windo 7, van Niekerk 7 (Hall 52), H HORSMAN 9, Collier 7 (Gabey 72), Gillies 6, Vaili 7, Sanderson 7, Hickey 8 (MacLeod-Henderson 78). Not Used: Sparks, Cole, Trueman. Att: 8,477