Sunday, September 12, 2004

ANYONE questioning Worcester's Premiership right will surely now have to think again.

Saracens -- a side brimming with confidence after last week's Wasps victory -- were made to look distinctly ordinary on their own patch yesterday as the Warriors turned in their best performance yet.

Ultimately, the men in black came out on top thanks to their nous at Premiership level but Worcester will go into Saturday's Bath clash with renewed belief that their stay in the top flight will be an extended one.

The Warriors scored their first Premiership try and had chances to level this match at Vicarage Road despite front row problems throughout as Cobus Visagie caused havoc. Tim Collier -- proving to be an inspired signing from London Welsh -- was magnificent throughout while the forwards' work was backed up superbly by half backs James Brown and Neil Cole as Gary Trueman continued to look the part at Premier level.

The visitors were more than a match for Saracens around the park for the first half, tackling everything that moved, were first to the breakdown and, with the invention of Cole and Brown, they led 10-8.

Steve Sparks' fifth minute try, following a strong drive, was the perfect riposte to an early penalty from Thomas Castaignede and Tommy Hayes' conversion plus a stunning 55-metre penalty, just before the break, put Worcester's noses in front. The only downside for coaches John Brain and Andy Keast will have been the Warriors' suspect tackling out wide as Paul Bailey skipped in for Saracens' touchdown midway through the half.

That was exposed again, shortly after half time, as Dan Scarbrough raced through for Saracens' second try and Castaignede popped over a penalty soon after to give them a six-point cushion.

Hayes then had a couple of penalty chances to level the scores before putting his efforts wide but, in truth, the result could have gone either way in the final few minutes with Worcester rampaging towards the home line. They were relieved, though, late on when Nicky Little missed a sitter of a penalty which would have denied the Warriors a bonus point which they so richly deserved.

Worcester always knew this Premiership campaign would be a mountainous climb but the spirit, commitment and quality shown in Watford spoke of a team who are looking up rather than panicking about the drop.

As the Warriors entered the fray, they were met with the message -- this is Saracens, there's nowhere to hide. Well, Worcester didn't go missing on the big stage and the belief which visibly grew here was a two-fingered salute to the doubters.

Nigel Wray this week, Rob Andrew last, would have quite happily seen Worcester remain at National One level such is their deep suspicion of promotion.

Sorry to disappoint you boys but, on this evidence, they're here to stay.

Worcester: O'Leary 6; Gollings 5, Hayes 7, Trueman 7, Lombard 6; Brown 7, Cole 7; Sparks 6, Daly 7, Noon 6, LCOLLIER 8, Gillies 7, Greeff 7, Sanderson 7, Hickey 6. Replacements: Windo 6 (Sparks 36), Van Niekerk 6 (Daly 66), Fortey 6 (Noon 53), MacLeod-Henderson 6 (Hickey 66), Murphy, Powell, Delport 7 (Trueman 58).

Man of the match: TIM COLLIER -- massive display from the lock who gave some real oomph to the pack and snaffled ball consistently.

Attendance: 5,620.