The Warriors V Bedford 5 Oct 2002

This is how the game started, bright sunny and full of expectation from both sides. A vociferous crowd 2500 prepared themselves and waited for the start.

 Having made 6 changes from the starting line-up that posted 66 points against Manchester, this was a statement of confidence in the whole squad. It proved to be well founded!!!

This Is My ball And I Intend To Eat It

The tide, very quickly dissipated on the rocky shores of Sixways. The Warriors were soon in their stride and slicing through the Bedford lines almost at will.

The Bedford flyhalf in frustration attempted a long range drop goal which fell short, perfect for the irrepressible Duncan (Rubber Legs) Roke to field and as his want immediately sidestepped and dummied his way past the chasing Blues gaining some 50 yards.

We were then privileged to watch 20 minutes of outstanding 15 man rugby. Starting with a surge from Richard Bates straight into the heart of the mid-field defence, powering his way past and setting up the first Warriors ruck the layback was inch perfect. The ball was recycled and through a sublime set of controlled attacking rugby Chris Hall was put away for the first try of the game.   7 - 0 after 4 minutes.

The Warriors then conceded a penalty and the score was reduced to 7 -3. up came Ben Hinshelwood for the restart, adrenalin and eagerness he struck the two well and the 7 iron shot went straight into touch. Why was Ben taking the restarts?? because in training he has been masterful and on the button every time, this was an opportunity to test him out in a match.

During the period The warriors scored a further 3 tries a brace from Duncan Roke (now 1 try in front of David Officer) and yet another from the front row union scored by Adrian Olver. Bonus points in the bag after 26 minutes!!

It seemed at this stage The Warriors were playing to a new game plane and were still coming to terms with it and trying desperately not to be carried away by their usual plan which would have undoubtedly run in a bag full of tries.

I saw more mauls and forward drive during the last 20 minutes of the half than all the other games put together. However this highlighted and opened up the Bedford weaknesses, they were just unable to stand upto the power and pace of The warriors forwards. All this work was to show dividends later in the game, as sheer exhaustion forced Bedford to substitute their players and with so little strength in depth really opened them up.

Worcester kicked off and were immediately on the attack a forced clearance kick from Bedford was once again fielded by Duncan Roke, was this to be his hat-trick??

No! he was eventually pulled down only for the ball to be recycled into the midfield "knife" and through the butter it went. Gary Trueman once again smashed through and laid the ball out to Ben Hinshelwood who accelerated away out to the right drawing in the outside center and winger. A sublimely time pass, and who was on the outside "Richard Bates" all 18 Stone a full speed and no-one was going to stop him, running in the try from 10 meters. 40 seconds on the clock and another try.

Take a close look at this pair, Gary Trueman(22) and behind him the Giant wing Craig Hudson(24) 6ft 6ins and 17 stone. They were to play significant roles in the match. Gary had already made his mark with some blistering runs from inside center opening up The Bedford defence for Ben Hinshelwood to score at will.

It was now only 1 min and 40 seconds into the second half and Ben Hinshelwood with a flash of power and brilliance surged through the mid-field defence to run in a try from the halfway line. Score after 100 seconds 38 points to 3.

This must have sapped everything they had!

The Warriors now turned up the gas and played some of the best rugby seen a Sixways. I seem to be saying this game after game, it just that the team ARE improving game after game, big style!!

During this period of play Martin Morgan, Mark Gabey and Richard Bates were outstanding. At one maul Mark Gabey lifted the whole maul to rip the ball away and pass out to Smiley. Bedford just could not withstand this onslaught, with The Warriors scoring another 4 tries, with David Officer once again on the score sheet. He and Rokey now have 9 tries apiece followed up by Chris Garrard and Nnamdi Ezulike with 5 a-piece

Yet Another Perfectly Laid Back Ball For The Supporting Players

In goes Mark Gabey to set up another phase and a fantastic score by Neil Mason First of the season

Now then back to these two guys and especially Craig Hudson.

The last try was as special as the first try against Manchester, only this try was about power and determination. On the Bedford 10 meter line 5 meters from touch, Craig comes into a maul and rips the ball away like a back row forward. At this point he had spun and was facing towards The warriors line. Instead of passing he surged backwards spinning as he was going and took off. He accelerated away from the first defender and handed off the No8, he then made for the line. He had the full back and two defenders corner flagging. He decided  he could take these on and turned obliquely for the post running and smashing his way through the defence to score at the side of the posts. The stadium erupted , what a try and finally he was on the scoreboard. This could be his defining moment and go on to become the top try scorer of the season

It is easy to overlook the mistakes when overall the performance was excellent. However it is the great side who look at the game an analyse their mistakes because against a better side they could have been costly

1.    There were a number or dropped passes and balls lost in the tackle!

2.   Against a weaker and defeated side we still had ball turned over in the ruck!

3.   We did not secure all won lineout possession!

4.   On several occasions the ball carrier was left isolated and had to hang on, giving away penalties, Yapp and Pez will punish us

5.   We are still giving away too many penalties on their put in. It does not matter if we think we are right there has to be an interpretation problem here, which needs sorting

6.   At time in attack we struggled to continue the phases and tried to keep running, we need to be able to consolidate and organise to start again and quickly.

Let's finish on the Good Bits:

1.    Very fit

2.    Very fast throughout the team

3.    Great team spirit with a massive desire to win and win BIG

4.    Organised and lead by Smiley and Tony Windo

5.    Slick handling and on the whole great support play

6.    Now have some ball carriers, Gabey, Bates, Evans, Mason, Olver and Morgan

A truly wonderful display of 15 man rugby that will entertain and draw in the crowds, so come on the supporters tell everybody what you have just witnessed and bring you friends and neighbours down to SIXWAYS

First Half Statistics Unavailable For 7 Days

Best Sequence Of Phases

Second Half Statistics Unavailable For 7 days

Best Sequence Of Phases