Saturday, October 4, 2003

JAMES Brown offered us one of the more fascinating sub-plots last season at Sixways.

On Saturday, the fly half proved he's about to add a new twist to the tale.

Worcester eased past Harrogate and into the fourth round of the Powergen Cup through physicality, organisation but also more than a hint of craft from the hugely gifted Brown.

Ousted last year by the quicksilver Tim Walsh, this season must have given him an unwelcome feeling of dj vu as Tommy Hayes took star billing early on. However, since his re-election to number 10 last month, the former London Irish man is now back in the groove.

It sets up another heavyweight contest as Worcester prepare for what will be a critical stage of the season next month. Ben Hinshelwood's return to centre will force a decision in November but, at present, Brown is ahead on points.

He certainly won the latest round on Saturday with a display of passing unrivalled so far in this campaign. Granted it was against opposition of a lower quality but it was his all-round performance which will have given Hayes something to ponder over the next few days as the side prepare for Manchester.

It was a day when those with something to prove stood up to be counted. Duncan Roke, made replacement to accommodate debutant Jon Hylton at full back, underlined his worth to the side with a stunning 30-minute second half hat-trick.

Wes Davies -- in for his first start since his move from Salford Reds -- bagged a brace of tries to put the heat on try-less Chris Garrard.

In between all this, Brown was giving the backs all the ammunition they needed with a mix of quick ball and razor sharp breaks.

Davies was first off the mark on three minutes when, after good work from Hylton, he sprinted in on the left. It should have been the prelude to a flood of tries but, credit to the National Two side, Harrogate dug in and kept Worcester at bay. The floodgates were, however, nudged once Rhys Morgan was sin-binned on 22 minutes for a reckless tackle on Brown.

Neil Mason made the most of the ensuing penalty as, after a lineout win, he was driven over soon after. Davies then scored a sensational second try, beating off two challenges and somersaulting to the line before a penalty try put Worcester in command at the break.

Two Gary Trueman tries in the space of eight second half minutes, courtesy of Brown's guile, put the result beyond any doubt before the 50th minute arrival of Roke. The full back hasn't had too much competition in recent months but some bench warming seemed to spark some fire in the belly.

Within three minutes he was on the scoresheet as the ball was moved by Brown and Hayes and he sped in on the right. Next, he sprinted 50 metres for a picture book score before rounding off the cameo, three minutes from the end, with the hat-trick try.

Hayes added seven out of nine conversions but even he would admit, on this form, pass master James Brown is the soul choice.

Worcester: Hylton 6; O'Leary 6, Hayes 6, Trueman 8, Davies 7, BROWN 9, Powell 5; Windo 6, Daly 7, Lyman 8, Gabey 7, Gillies 8, Mason 7, Hickey 7, C Evans 7.

Replacements: McAtee 6 (Powell 60), Garrard 6 (Brown 60), Roke 8 (Hylton 49), Clunis 6 (Daly 60), Fortey 7 (Windo 60), Zaltzman 6 (Gabey 49), M Evans 6 (Hickey 49).

Man of the match: JAMES BROWN - Looking better by the minute.