The Warriors V Manchester 9 Nov 2002

Worcester had made 9 changes from the side who crushed Plymouth the previous weekend. Giving the opportunity for players to stake their claim for the game against Rotherham, it also provide time for some players to take a well earned rest. The next two games would be crucial.

Manchester had come down to Sixways with some younger players included to give them a taste of top first division 1 rugby. Even so it was not going to be easy, they had nothing to lose and all to gain. They came to play rugby and give it a go and came away with two tries, the first time since Billy McG took over we have conceded 2 tries.

Well to say the game got off to a cracking pace was an understatement, the Warriors kicked off, secured the ball and 6 lightening quick phases saw Craig Hudson score in the corner after only 53 seconds.

Now was a chance to see if Tim Walsh could kick, from wide out on the left and with his left foot he stroked the ball sublimely between the uprights. Answer, yes he can kick!!!

Within 3 minutes the Warriors had scored again, the speed, power and retention from a side with 9 changes was very very good.

As I was only here for half a game and standing outside the bar I was at the wrong end, I moved very smartly to the South Stand.

The game became one of patterns and training, or should have done. It had been so easy to score the first two tries that the concentration was broken for 10 to 15 minutes.

Already Richard Bates was creating havoc, followed and supported by Dan Zaltsman, who was playing for a place, he impressed with his work rate in the loose and mauls. The scrums were sound a credit to the whole front 5. The warriors pushed them off the ball and stole or disrupted everyone of their put-ins.

James was finally to get a start at inside center, how would he fare considering all around him had played at least 4 other games. His power and direct running opened up gaps all day, very quick over 20 meters, if the ball had hit him a second earlier I believe he would have had a field day. It was James's burst through the middle that created the space for the first try. Must watch his defence, he is a big lad and really needs to knock people over!!

The forwards were dominating all phases of the game and providing Werner with a platform to release his new flyhalf and the flyers behind him.(more on Tim later)

Werner did not look completely at ease he seemed to be snatching at the ball and making some unforced errors. The forwards in there drive for domination at times left Werner exposed and at other times had gone beyond the ball with securing it. Leaving won ball free for the Manchester forwards to steal or disrupt the service away from the rucks

With Mark Gabey, Martin Morgan and Jim Jenner taking a rest how would the lineout perform. Well the picture below say's it all. we were as dominant in this phase of the game as we were in all others.

Craig Gillies, Dan Zaltsman and Richard Bates were enough to win the majority of our own ball, the only losses were to do with communications and putting it in the wrong place. However with Gavin Pfister and Neil Mason hunting like mad dogs we soon had it back.

He made some great runs straightening up the line, making space outside him. The question is why then did David Officer come off the field try less, did Bully make too much ground and left the backrow and David, did he die with the ball, his he able to slip the ball once he has made the break.

Once in sight of the try line and half a chance and his pace and power is used to great effect, scoring his first try from 30meters out cruising past the first line of defence and carrying the second line over with him.

However I have to say he has some work to do on his defence and ability to chase back and cover.

Considering this was his first game and the enormous pressure to perform he acquitted himself well and had a good game

He is very quick, powerful and confident. He makes good decisions from an intelligent rugby brain. He has stepped into a team that is playing it's own style of rugby and playing it well, he has not only fitted in perfectly he has added another attacking dimension to this terrific back line.

He has soft hands giving him the ability to slip passes, he has a great long pass, no loop, like a bullet one pass must have travelled 25 meters fast smack on the button.

He has shown a tactical brain with his kicking, chips, punts and grubbers.

In comparison with Craig, as they will be in contention, he holds the ball a little longer because he is looking for the break and the ultimate killer pass. This tended to flatten the line and take away the sting from the centers. It is not always going to be on, let the phases build up, the gaps and wide opportunities will appear. Craig is a great close in distributor with his forwards and would use them better.

With Craig and Tim we have two very good flyhalves who differently enough to cause the opposition severe problems when either one is on the field. They will have to be good enough to change their defensive tactics to cope with the changes

Observations

1. Must keep their heads when things become frantic and too easy. It is still a team and they must continue to play for each other.

2. Werner will need to lift the pace and keep it going for much longer.

3. The backrow will need to scavenge and steal more ball from the opposition.

4. The whole pack must concentrate on securing the ball and protecting Werner to enable him to feed fast ball out.

5. Bully had a good first game looking powerful and determined

6. Tim Walsh looks supremely confident but realise outside him he has a fabulous set of backs he must not waste their skills to prove his own. The team will score if they all play for each other and take the chance when it appears.

7. We now have a kicker capable of putting pressure on defences not to give away penalties.