Worcester V Swansea 3 August 2002

The match was split into 4 periods of 20 minutes. JB and AK made sure that, where possible, all available players played and in differing combinations.

This allowed the coaches to observe and compile information on playing styles and suitability to fit into THE WARRIOR's style of play.

Swansea had decided to come with a very junior side 11 were from their u21 team and all their new signings were on show to test them out and see how they will fit in to their mode of play

Taking On Fluid After Team Warm-UP Conditions At The Start Of The Game Were Extremely Hot And Humid

JP O'REILLY at scrumhalf played well but had a tendency to stutter in his decision making. possibly due to lack of familiarity however if this continues past SA then we may have to re-think. He has spirit and is determined on one occasion being penalised for use of the boot, if the opposition put their hands on the ball what can they expect!!

In the center we looked solid and workmanlike no real sense of adventure but maybe this was not the time, then again playing in league games will not allow this to happen either!! We seemed a little slow up onto the tackle, the line was good and there were some big hits later on. It was a high tackle on GARY TRUEMAN which gave THE WARRIORS their second try, a penalty try. Sorry Gary does not count towards you season total. Quickly after a try saving tackle by POPE stopped THE WARRIORS going further ahead

In between time THE WARRIORS had conceded a well deserved try from Swansea

In Loose play Swansea looked the more organised, quicker to the breakdown and when there much more aware of what was happening about them. JIM JENNER, CHRISTIAN EVANS and RICHARD NIAS were everywhere and looked very fit a little more awareness at the breakdown would have yielded great dividends and virtually stopped all the possession that SWANSEA had. SWANSEA's best play was from our leaving the ball loose after securing it.

SWANSEA then scored a second try which was duly converted and a penalty. This very much a surprise as the kick was simple and SWANSEA can have learned nothing from it. A kick to the corner would have practiced the punt accuracy and then the lineout, or maybe they were already realising this was not going to be an easy win

HALF TIME SCORE    WARRIORS 14 - SWANSEA 17    

Three people stood out for me during this period and they were DAVID OFFICER, NEIL MASON and my good friend GAVIN PFISTER. (Gavin,  I  was wrong,  looking fit and fast).

The Conditions Halfway Through The Third Quarter Were Atrocious. The Referee Taking Both Teams Off  The Field

The lineout was now starting to function again and with some intense training with CHRIS HALL and STUART PEARSON and targets Like JIM JENNER, RICHARD BATES, CRAIG GILLIES, MARTYN MORGAN, MARK GABEY and DAN ZALTSMAN an area we have for some years struggled at could finally start to function.

In the second half we saw the inclusion of JAMES BROWN and WERNER SWANEPOEL, JAMES' is clearly a play maker and loves to attack his ability to mix passing with short tactically astute kicking will reap dividends with the backs, once they get to know his play and thinking. This is where ANDY KEAST's ability to analyse and coach will be invaluable. WERNER clearly has a tactical brain and loves his rugby. I was a little concerned at his overuse of the boot, the conditions probably favoured this ploy but the forwards need to be more tactically aware of when he is going to use it, this also applies to the threequarters who did not chase up a bouncing ball which had turned the opposition.

CHRIS GARRARD played as we expected, looks lively and dangerous already, missed a couple of opportunities and tackles. NNAMBI EZULIKE looks quick and nimble, good change of direction and eager, also made two very good covering tackles, players look as if they are past him but with his speed and agility managed to haul them down. Not sure about one on one tackles head on though.

One disappointment for me was CRAIG HUDSON looked asleep and a very lacklustre performance. He looked like a man with little confidence had the chance twice in the first quarter to make ground or even score and just did not attempt to go for it. SWANSEA's last score was as a direct result of his lack of drive to chase a ball then a player and allow an attack to develop. Still first game and a known class player.

They looked relaxed and confident. Even with the many changes they did not look disorganised. I have never seen a WARRIORS front 5 dominate any side like they did today.

Add to this that MARK GABEY, RICHARD BATES and NEIL LYMAN are still to play, this side is the best by far that we have ever seen at SIXWAYS. It has the potential to be a great team!!