Warriors V Exeter 21 September 2002

" AND WE'RE OFF "

Craig got the game underway in ideal conditions, maybe a little hot but then that's what you train for, with the condition of this team "no problem" The game set off at a cracking pace with both side taking it to their opposite numbers with great determination.

It was apparent in the first 5 minutes the Warriors were going to run it at Exeter from everywhere on the field and Exeter would predominately go for field position. Clearly understandable as Exeter's strength, as all Exeter sides are, was with their magnificent forward power. Whereas The Warriors were playing 15 man rugby with a strike force of threequarters which has no equal in this league!!

Even When The ball Is Lost The Word Is Attack

This year has seen a great change in the attitude of the players no longer is "good", enough. It is "excellence only" that will do, play for your team and for Worcester and does it show. The Warriors were once again trying to put multiple phases of  play together only to be thwarted by Exeter's dubious tactics and the referee's whistle.

This is where the game was going to be decided, up front in the engine room and The Warriors were not found wanting. The front row of Adrian Olver, Chris Pearson and Tony Windo were magnificent, in the tight and loose play. Their  work rate, ability to hit the line at speed and sheer tenacity set the platform for the speedsters outside to show their paces. They dominated the close in area's around the rucks taking on ball and making the hard yards time after time. Their defence in the same area was absolutely rock solid, I cannot remember one incident of a missed tackle in this area all day.

By the end of the game there was no question where the man of the match was going to come from.

Above, it seems strange to have the shorter lifting man behind the jumper as he has the biggest effect on how high you get your man. look at Exeter, the opposite way round. Subsequently they have lifted a shorter man higher.

The game had gone into the 12th minute and it was only a matter of time before The Warriors broke down the defence and who would be the key. Up stepped THE Man Smiley took a quick penalty moved at electric speed to his right and slipped another crackerjack pass to David "Sniffer" Officer and from this distance out no-one was going to stop him, crashing over and scoring to the left of the posts.

Up stepped the Maestro and once again stroked the conversion perfectly between the posts THE WARRIORS 7 _ EXETER 0

HANDBAGS AT SIXWAYS

Let the fun and games begin!! The irrepressible Gavin Pfister made a break and set up the whole back line, the ball moved down the line and left two players clear. Try No2 or so we thought, the referee blew up "all stop". The Exeter backrow had punched Pfister from behind and started a brawl with all forwards from both sides piling in.

Finally it was time for the brilliant Ben Hinshelwood to get onto the score sheet. He was having a great day, dangerous every time he took the ball making the break on numerous occasions and laying off the ball and only the determined and last ditch tackling of the Exeter defence keeping him out so far.

Ben accelerated onto a beautiful pass, powered through the first tackler and then shimmied past another two to place the ball down between the posts. Up came Craig and YES converted the try for a full 7 points.

In the first half Exeter were left with scraps and new that the only way of staying in this game was penalties and the referee was very generous and obliging. Tony Yapp converted three penalties and struck a sublime drop goal giving Exeter 12 points

Half Time The Warriors 14 - Exeter 12

At the start of the second half Exeter came out all guns blazing and scored a nice try out on the left. Which the reliable Tony Yapp converted to take Exeter into the lead.

If you saw the film Gladiator, at the beginning he used the phrase to his generals" Release Hell On Them" well stand by for The Warriors version.

It was a phase of controlled aggression and attack, magnificent to watch with the forwards and backs combining to create attack after attack and finally down came the walls with The Warriors scoring two tries though Tony Windo and Jim Jenner. Both converted by James Brown and more importantly the BONUS point,. (But was it really in the bag???)

Special mention here about James Brown whose tactical kicking and constant change of attack, left the Exeter defence bewildered.

Then came the games defining moment, yet another penalty was awarded to Exeter, in a kickable situation, another ludicrous decision. However was it divine justice or just simply nerves and pressure, up stepped Tony Yapp, snatched at the ball and pulled it wide of the left hand upright.

They were loud and must have been enormously intimidating to the Exeter players. The support was now coming from all corners of the ground not just when We were attacking but when it was needed in defence.

A Tremendous 3,270 fans screaming for their hero's and let me tell you all the players and coaches believed that this support gave them the bonus point.

Take pride in your support and let us all meet again here against Bedford on the 6th October