Bracknell V The Warriors 19 Oct 2002

This fixture enabled JB & AK to rest some players and give  other players some match play, presenting an opportunity to stake their claims for a place.

There were 11 changes from the side which a week ago had such a resounding victory over London Welsh, this selection had never played together before.  Clearly the strength in depth and coaching at the club this year has shown what an enormous leap forward we have achieved. You can see and feel the desire of all these players to play and win for Worcester, just look at the players fighting for a place many of them premiership players: Jim Jenner, Gavin Pfister, Craig Gillies, Neil Lyman, Craig Hudson, Gareth Mason, Dan Zaltsman and John O'Reilly

Bracknell kicked of in glorious conditions, a little cold but very pleasant. The Warriors playing downhill in the first half were soon in their stride with powerful runs from Dan Zaltsman,  Jim Jenner and Gareth Mason

The lineouts were dominated by The Warriors forwards, although some of the throwing was not consistently on target.

It did not take long to before the fabled threequarter line at Worcester got into gear, their speed of foot and hand are an absolute joy to watch. Leave them the smallest of spaces and they will score, from anywhere on the pitch. Not one of the threequarter's tries started nearer than the opposition 10 meter line. They have the confidence to play and attack from anywhere on the field. Knowing that if the move breaks down they have the strength and size to stay on their feet for the backrow to come in and take the ball on into yet another phase.

We have 33 players all capable of playing 15 man rugby in the style of JB & AK, it must give the team and coaches enormous confidence in the teams potential.

With this quality of  player all pushing hard for a place one can only guess at the final level of play they could achieve, we are still developing and gelling just what score we will eventually achieve is mind boggling.

Now, back to this game. Craig Hudson was the first try scorer the move having started on the halfway line. Above you can see Craig scoring and coming in behind is our other winger Chris Garrard.

This started a procession of tries, it seemed every time the ball was in our hands we would score. The Bracknell defence just had no answer to the pace and power of  The Warriors, no matter how well they tackled the ball would be slipped or popped to another Worcester player coming in at speed, be taken without breaking stride and over we would go!

The forwards were not going to be outdone, seen here scoring from a driving maul. They scored 3 tries in this half with the threequarter's scoring 5

We can see here yet another devastating break through the middle by Ben Hinshelwood, he was just too strong and fast,  displaying  wonderful changes of direction and subtle passing skills. Just look who is in support screaming for the ball young Neil Mason another young academy player signed this season and my man of the match.

Craig Gillies now starting to show the sort of skills which took him to Llanelli and Gloucester another stone in weight and he will be a very good player, providing he loses none of his mobility. Craig and Jim dominated this phase of play allowing The Warriors backs time and space to show off their undeniable skill sets.

There were times however when faster ball from these phases of play would have reaped enormous dividends. John"O" must dominate and take control of the ball faster and more decisevely. It was this hesitancy that caused good ball to be wasted. It is the first time they have all played together so there are some reasons but no excuses, they all train together!!

With an average age of 23 this was a very young developing side, it contained one 19 year old, four 20 year olds and nine 22 or under. This can only be good for our future. We also had four under 19 year olds selected  for the England under 19's squad the second biggest group from any club.

Once again look who is charging up in support ready to drive on, yes Neil Mason, he really takes some stopping!!

The first half continued to demonstrate the difference between a young fully professional outfit and a good semi professional team. Remember Bracknell were in our division last year and have played 6 games this season and have won all six. It was not a weak junior team in any way shape or form.

The whole team produced some really  pleasing phases of rugby running in 8 Tries and converting 6.

The second half started with a massive change in attitude from the Bracknell players, They were determined to show that they also can play rugby. (Although here, the No 6 is clearly infringing, he is not part of the ruck, the ball is passed behind him and he is obstructing The Worcester defenders.)

The Bracknell forwards worked and worked and worked, keeping the ball tight and playing 10 man rugby, this ploy eventually paid off with an unconverted try.

This was the wakeup signal  The Warriors needed.

The team started to play again, here a break from John O'Reilly started a move which saw a fantastic try from Chris Garrard.

The ball made its way out to the right and into the hands of  Chris who immediately cut left and inside two players accelerating away and leaving the immediate Bracknell defenders in his wake. Then cam a moment of true individualism which set the crowd screaming.

The Bracknell outside center set himself for a big hit, but what did Chris do, go round him, sidestep him, go through him all legitimate tactics. NO, Chris, without changing stride HURDLED him leaping at least 4 feet into the air, landed lightly on his feet and still running at full speed sped away, then sidestepped right and ran in a try which started in his hands behind the halfway line.

Luxurious stuff the crowd once again were delirious with pleasure dinning on these champagne and caviar moments of rugby. WONDERFUL!!

The forwards were now back in gear lead by the old man of this young team Jim Jenner. Powerful runs from Jim and especially Neil Mason had caused Bracknell real problems all day. It was this mixture of power and pace in the pack mixed with the power, pace and guile of the threequarter's that proved unstoppable.

The substitution of young Tom Richardson brought on that element of cheeky confidence all good scrum halves posses and he has it in abundance, he is also very, very quick. Although young he soon took control behind the big boys and started the backs running again.

His quicksilver bursts and thinking changed the whole aspect of the second half. he is also pound for pound a big hitter in the tackle, he is tenacious and fearless powering one of the Bracknell backrow out into touch who must have been twice his size.

This young half back pairing look great prospects for the future and with 19 year old Neil Starling at center we are starting to develop our own products for the future in the premiership

The game ended in good spirits with The Warriors had running in another three tries making that 11 tries in all.

This is what makes a good team great!!

End of a game where 11 tries have been scored and now it is time to listen to the coach and just look at the concentration on their faces. They quite clearly are being told where they had gone wrong and what is expected of them as future professionals at Worcester. They know that over 100 points should have been scored. But they will have learned and improved as players if they listen and take notice!!

1.   A young team who played well for the majority of the game

2.   The ball was won but not used anywhere near fast enough

3.   We did not put together enough phases to stretch and tire the Bracknell defence

4.  The defence of the maul still looks suspect and will need work throughout the whole team. We need to hit the maul hard and get the legs pumping making sure we get the initial push on, then we can consolidate. We seem to get there hold the maul whilst we set ourselves and then push, but by this time we are moving backwards or sideways and scrabbling about. We seem to stand tall instead of low and driving with fast pumping legs.

5.   I have to say and correct me if wrong, I did not see much of Gavin Pfister is he fully fit or not concentrating.

6.   The control behind the pack looked nervous and indecisive. John"O" is a good player and must show his authority and stamp his presence onto the game

7.   Neil Mason had a great game in attack, defence and support a massive effort. He really wants his place and is working hard for it!

8.   Tom Richardson added pace and authority to the game with his inclusion.

9.  The threequarter's, well what can I say, even without Roke, Officer, Ezulike, Brown and Chalmers were deadly and there is Bully still to show his paces.

Overall a very good result, we had a chance to see more players in match situations and to beat an on form top of the division side by 73 points to 5 is great

WELL DONE THE WARRIORS