Saturday, January 24, 2004

THE feel-good factor continues at Sixways.

A comprehensive victory over Bedford Blues on an afternoon enriched by title rivals Orrell stumbling once again.

There hasn't been a better time to be a Worcester supporter.

Eleven points clear at the top of National One, it really does look plain sailing for the Warriors now but, against Bedford, there were enough reminders that things in sport are far from certain.

How exactly as a coach can you account for the loss of three of your most influential players and an officiating trio who, plainly, missed more than they saw?

Drew Hickey left the field with a groin problem after seven minutes, Ben Hinshelwood was knocked unconscious while Ben Daly had to retire because of a rib injury. So, at the end of the first half, coaches John Brain and Andy Keast were left with a team already decimated by injury.

By then, though, the result was beyond any doubt. Tries from Gary Trueman, Russell Earnshaw and Wes Davies had put the Warriors on the brink of the bonus point while James Brown added two conversions for a 19-0 lead. It was neither the best nor the worst of Worcester but it was substantial enough to brush aside the Blues whose ambition was damage limitation from the off.

Once again, Worcester's lineout work was first class with Craig Gillies and Christian Evans securing their own ball and nicking most of Bedford's. It gave the home side the platform they needed and they made it pay on 15 minutes when Werner Swanepoel broke away and put in Trueman for the opener.

It showed a real professionalism from the players because, only seconds earlier, they had seen their talismanic centre stretchered from the field. Hinshelwood dropped straight to the floor, after a typical break, when Kramer Ronaki's tackle caught him around the neck. The infringement was to go unpunished but Worcester set about hurting Bedford where it mattered.

The pack, so dominant this season, were at it again as Earnshaw was driven over on 22 minutes while Davies' try was the result of fabulous hands from the impressive Trueman just before the break. By then Bedford were a man down after referee Bruce Robertson finally lost patience with the sin-binning of winger Mark Mansfield.

Worcester opened up the second half with the converted bonus point try from Earnshaw but Bedford pulled one back on the hour through Simon Hepher. It was never likely to shift any balance of power, however, and the ever reliable Daren O'Leary set up replacement David Officer for Worcester's fifth of the afternoon.

With Bedford again down to 14 following Dominic Malone's yellow card, 10 minutes from time, it gave the league leaders a chance to boost their points difference. It was an invitation they weren't going to turn down. Over went Tony Windo with another driven try, this time converted by substitute Jon Higgins, while Earnshaw marked his full debut with a special moment.

The flanker, whose work ethic never wavered, was in support of Davies as Worcester broke on the blindside and popped over the line to cap a fairytale debut. On this form, Gavin Pfister will have to watch out because Earnshaw's attitude and desire shone through on yet another hugely positive day for the club.

Worcester: O'Leary 8; Garrard 7, Hinshelwood, Trueman 8, Davies 7; Brown 7, Swanepoel 8; Windo 7, Daly 6, Lyman 7, Zaltzman 5, Gillies 8, Evans 8, NEARNSHAW 9, Hickey.

Replacements: Powell 7 (Swanepoel 51), Higgins 6 (Brown 69), Officer 5 (Hinshelwood 13), Hall 5 (Daly 39) Fortey 6 (Lyman 54), Gabey 6 (Zaltzman 54), Bates 6 (Hickey 7)

Man of the match: Russell Earnshaw - top class work ethic and attitude.