Saturday, October 11, 2003

WORCESTER produced a masterclass last time around at Grove Park.

After another lesson, Manchester must be sick of the sight of them.

The Warriors were just too good in all departments for the bottom of the table side as they ruthlessly exposed the gulf between the National One top and bottom.

Manchester, struggling financially this year following a slashed playing budget, could only name five replacements due to their problems. The portents were hardly encouraging and, after just 39 seconds, the reality wasn't much better.

Wes Davies - in for his first league start - was on hand to open the scoring after a devastating break from Duncan Roke and, by the 12th minute, there were three tries on the board.

Gary Trueman made it two following impressive work from James Brown, Roke and Davies and, after a lineout win and drive, Gavin Pfister was driven over to give the visitors a 17-0 lead. They had to wait, however, until three minutes before the break for the fourth and bonus point try.

Drew Hickey, a growing presence within the team, broke free of Manchester's shackles with a surprisingly pacy thrust and Daren O'Leary was on hand to touch down. Tommy Hayes added his second conversion of the day before the hosts punctuated the barrage with a Stuart Brown penalty.

The half ended on a high for the Warriors when another drive brought about a second Pfister try, a mirror image of his earlier score.

Undoubtedly, though, the game's best moment arrived in the second half. Following O'Leary's second try of the day, after turnover ball and a floated pass from replacement Duncan Murray, Matt Powell began a move of sublime quality.

On a pitch where Worcester scored one of the tries of last season, Powell and O'Leary created this little gem, Hayes continued the move before putting in Roke for a stunning try. It was wonderful stuff and it underlined just how much potential this unit has once the confidence is flowing.

With the kicking duties now with the elegant James Brown, he added the conversion and a penalty soon after as Worcester led 44-3. His management of the game was top class, another reminder of just why he was thought of in England circles not so long ago.

Murray was next in after some lacklustre Manchester tackling and, with eight minutes left, Davies ended the match how he began it with a try courtesy of another speedy break from the improving Powell. Brown sent over the conversion to end the pain for Manchester.

It is a pain which National One teams will have to get accustomed to because, on this form, there's no apparent cure.

Worcester: Roke 8; O'Leary 7, Hayes 6, Trueman 6, Davies 7; Brown 8, Powell 8; Windo 7, Daly 8, Fortey 8, Zaltzman 7, Gillies 6, Gabey 6, Pfister 7, NHICKEY 9.

Replacements: McAtee (Hayes 72), Hylton 6 (Roke 65), Murray 6 (Trueman 40), Clunis (Daly 70), Warren (Fortey 80), Mason 6 (Gabey 65), Evans 6 (Pfister 40).

Man of the match: DREW HICKEY - beginning to show his true worth.