Saturday, March 13, 2004

SOFT touches? Not a bit of it.

Worcester took everything that National One's most physical outfit could throw at them and returned it with interest as they re-wrote the record books.

Twenty-two successive victories at league level puts Worcester alongside Rotherham's record National One tally from the 1999-2000 season and just two away from promotion.

It was a glorious restoration of old values at Sixways. After shipping 12 tries in their last three matches, the predictable questions were raised about their defensive capabilities. They answered them unequivocally against a brute of a pack.

Plymouth -- one of the biggest sides in the league -- arrived determined to bully and intimidate but also showed real quality in patches. Ultimately, it was Worcester's maturity which prevailed as they kept their cool to continue their incredible run.

At this level, the Warriors are rarely in a position where, after 31 minutes, they have failed to trouble the scorers. But that was the scenario here against Plymouth as the visitors illustrated their cohesion and organisation.

But, in front of an expectant crowd and an increased media spotlight, there was never a sense of panic from Worcester or an inkling that they were losing their grip. It underlined the giant strides that have been made at Sixways that the players were able to keep their shape, be flexible with the game plan and wait for the moves to pay off.

Indeed, it was all the more impressive as Plymouth had the audacity to disrupt Worcester's lineout early on, something which simply isn't done against Craig Gillies and Co this season.

It was a maturity which resonated the belief within the squad, that any challenge could be overcome despite the form, in spite of luck and whatever the opposition. It was perhaps a belief which was born back in November at Plymouth but this display, in many ways, thunderously spoke of championship material. A result achieved by a team who didn't ever reach the pinnacle of their talent but knew their destiny nevertheless.

True, it was nervy up until Jon Hylton's opener but, after the winger punctured the tension, Worcester never looked back. The 22-year-old took advantage of Daren O'Leary's sumptuous chip ahead to simply blow away the Plymouth rearguard with a bewildering turn of pace and set the Warriors on their way.

Six minutes later and, following some serious pressure on the Albion pack, the ball was flipped down the line and clever hands from the ever impressive Gary Trueman put in Ben Hinshelwood for the second try.

Plymouth may have felt they were still in with a shout at half time but, 42 seconds into the second period, the game was over as a contest. Stewart Pearl threw too long at the lineout and Drew Hickey couldn't believe his luck as he danced through the midfield to touch down.

The visitors hit back with a Lee Robinson try and a Tom Barlow penalty but Worcester's work ethic simply wouldn't allow a full-blown comeback. Hinshelwood's chip and chase put pressure on the back line and, after turning over the ball, Matt Powell dashed in for the fourth and bonus point try. Tommy Hayes added the conversion -- his fourth of the day -- to keep up his 100 per cent record and, six minutes later, Worcester made it number five.

Powell and Chris Garrard carved out the opening for Hinshelwood who powered to the line to touch down on the outside. The visitors hit back with a catch and drive try from Brett Luxton but Worcester had the final word with their own driven effort courtesy of Christian Evans.

A late yellow card for Lee Fortey wasn't ever likely to spoil the party at Sixways in front of an impressive 4,351 crowd. And they went home safe in the knowledge that the next Sixways game could be the real champagne moment with promotion likely to be sealed on April 3.

It was indeed apt that two games against Plymouth this season have reinforced the beliefs which ignite this championship team.

Next month, Worcester can begin to map out their own pilgrimage to a new world.

Worcester: O'Leary 8; Garrard 6, Hinshelwood 8, Trueman 8, Hylton 7; Hayes 6, Powell 6; Windo 7, Daly 7, Windo 7, Gabey 8, Gillies 7, Evans 8, Pfister 7, NHICKEY 9.

Replacements: Cole, Brown 8 (Hayes 55), Roke (O'Leary 72), Hall (Daly 73), Fortey 6 (Lyman 59), Percival (Gabey 80), Mason 7 (Pfister 45).

Man of the match: Drew Hickey -- Another classy display from a class act.