Manchester V The Warriors 28 Sept 2002

Manchester Rugby Club as always was a delight to visit, one of the friendliest and welcoming clubs in the division. We all arrived early, so took the opportunity of a warmer into the bank and a chance to watch Saracens V Northampton, before the start of the real action!

Not a particularly good kick but with this team they seem to be able to come up with the goods time and again. The ball was retrieved secured and we were off, a sequence of play containing 9 phases. Every time a tackle went in the forwards secured the ball, then recycled it at a fanatical rate. Smiley was there at every turn directing and providing superbly quick ball. The coaching of JB & AK is now starting to take over, as the ball was passed, like clockwork a forward would be coming in at pace from defence stretching lines,  breaking the line and hammering through the defence time after time.

Nnamdi passed inside to old Rubber Legs and off he went, crabbed outside first then straightened up and accelerated 3 left flat footed, side stepped to his right and then left, accelerated again another 6 left for dead. Then accelerated round the fullback and winger to score by the posts. Try No1 . Everyone in the ground erupted in euphoric celebrations an incredible score and set the tone for the rest of the day.

The forwards were once again performing brilliantly everyone giving there utmost, the site of this pack hitting the line, rucking that ball out and "General Smiley" on the spot at exactly the right time and providing fast, accurate, ball to the next forward was a sight to be seen, it was executed at phenomenal speed, Eventually linking to the backs at exactly the right time. Once it was in their hands it seemed likely another score would come every time.

If they were tackled who was there first, virtually every time, Pfister, Hall, Jenner and Gabey, if they couldn't make it Windo and Olver were there to straighten it up and smash their way thorough the first line of defence.

For 20 minutes we were given a massive display of magnificent 15 man rugby!!

Manchester clearly wanted to play rugby, they were now creating sequences of rugby running into 4 and 5 phases, the first opposition to do so this season. They played quick, intense and skilful rugby.

Their first try came from an interception after The Warriors had put together a sequence of 10 phases of rugby, the final pass just meters from the line was intercepted and with, passing movements they made fully 40 meters, Manchester then won two or three rucks and recycled to score out on the right. Within 5 minutes they had found an overlap on the right and scored again, this was not good defence, but fully deserved for their persistence.

Replacements were Richard Bates for Mark Gabey (wait till both these guys are on at the same time), Jon Higgins for James Brown, Jon, lb for lb the biggest tackler in the club and a gifted flyhalf (a product of our academy)

Richard "Nutter" Bates is one big tough hombre who is exceptionally fast. I had my doubts until today, he played 20 minutes against Otley and looked reasonable and the jury was out. This match and 40 minutes of rugby showed to me and the supporters just what this guy is capable of. He was immediately in the action around the breakdown and on nearly every occasion he went in out came the ball, a big hitter and makes ground, he looks terrifying and pity the poor defences  when he is fully fit.

How  is the coaching staff going to pick between Bates, Gabey, Jenner, Pfister and Evans to start the games. Mind you no matter who starts just look who will be coming on fresh, one of the others!!!!

To describe these tries in detail would remove the team effort in their scoring. The sheer intensity, patience and knife like attack when the time came underscored this whole period. However special mention must go to three players, the unsung hero Gary Trueman getting through masses of work preparing the ground for THE MAN, David Officer and finally Adrian Olver a tireless workhorse who scored his first league try for Worcester, congratulations.

Bates, "Oi Jenner stop messing about and pass me that ball, NOW"

Not one attempt at a penalty goal by either side all day.

The change from last week was only 1 minute of extra time in each half and 12 penalties compared to 37.

The game ended in great spirit with The Warriors on the attack, tackled just short of the line

Observations:

1  Billy McGinty has some work to do and I believe he is more than upto the job

2.  Richard Bates is well on line for full fitness and start in the next two games

3.  We still need to do some work on our mauling in defence. Not needed in attack we move to quick, the ruck and recycle is going well.

4.  I had concern over James Brown's distribution something seemed not quite right. Could possibly be put down to lack of match play with his forwards.

5.  The threequaters look good, really good. Dangerous and likely to score every time they get the ball. With very quick center's of 17stone, 15stone 6lbs and 14 stone 7lbs who is going to stop them.

6.  The ultimate end to a game of 15 man rugby where the try scorers are distributed throughout the team,

First Half Statistics

Best Sequence Of Phases 1*12, 2*9, and  8*>4

Second Half Statistics

Best Sequence Of Phases 2*7 and 5*>4