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After last Saturday's momentous victory, tickets for this game had sold really well before match day. It was once again a crowd in excess of 3,500. The average gate since Christmas is 3,900!! With so many food and drink facilities, with the Orrell game being shown in the bars, nobody was around to cheer the players as they did a warm up circuit before the game. Never mind, it should be done at every home game. It will build up and supporters will soon get the habit of getting to their seats earlier, they will need to if we start getting crowds of 7,000 and more! This was always going to be a difficult game, Bedford are a tough forward team and would punish any lack of focus from the Warriors |
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The stands were full! Oout came Bedford to applause from the Worcester Crowd and their big travelling contingent. Then out came The Warriors to the enormous cheers and chants of "Worcesterrr", "Worcesterr" This was a continuation of that day last week at Edge Hall Road only this was OUR ground. |
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James Brown got the game underway with a towering kick.
The forwards lead by that man Craig Gilles stormed down field to get under
the ball. Bedford took the ball and under enormous pressure secured it, coming onto the attack through their backrow |
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It was obvious from the first lineout that Craig was going
to be tested by the Bedford jumpers. This part of the game is so vital to control in the modern game. Who would win this contest, we shall have to wait and see, but it was not going to be plain sailing. Bedford were soon to taste the power of this formidable Warriors pack. The first Scrum was turned and Smiley attacked the number 8, who had picked up. In came Russell Earnshaw in support, his mode of tackling was to play a big part in the game. The scrum should have been reset for going round but the referee allowed play-on |
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Like Coventry on the 27th and Otley a week later the tactics of Bedford was to intimidate Worcester trying to force some retaliation from some very aggressive and at time highly illegal actions. It is testimony to the team and coaches that the lessons against Coventry have been well taught and instilled in this team. With players sent off the field or not focusing on rugby you will lose your shape and ultimately the game. Once again though we saw a referee who put himself under enormous pressure by not quickly taking control and punishing these offences. Once you let one go, the players sense weakness and will continue to offend and barrack the referee, so will the crowd!! |
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Drew Hickey unfortunately sustained an injury to his hip
and groin, being replaced by one of the crowd favourites Richard Bates. He
had a magnificent game, not fully match aware, but his impact on the game
was significant. Christian Evans moved to 8. There was no weakening of the forward power but some of the skill and control in the backrow was now missing. The Forwards were now providing a good solid platform from which James Brown was launching his backs, through Gary Trueman and Ben Hinshelwood. Worcester were going to run everything at Bedford testing them out wide and down the middle |
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Gary Trueman was creating holes in the mid field defence,
it could only be a matter of time before the first score was rattled up. A
fine break by Gary and a slipped ball to Ben Hinshelwood saw him smash
through the first tackle. Ben was then taken out by a "tackle" which
was cause for
much discussion. Ben was unconscious as he hit the ground with the referee
sensibly coming into protect him from further injury.
After a 10 minute delay whilst Ben was treated and stretchered form the field amid sympathetic clapping from all the players, the game continued. David Officer came on to replace Ben and an opportunity to show his paces. |
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The best response of all, came from the Worcester team as they
attacked the ever weakening defence of Bedford and scored their first try
fittingly through Gary Trueman. Up stepped James Brown and calmly converted for the two extra points Worcester 7 : 0 Bedford |
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The battle for supremacy at the line continued, with Craig
Gillies losing his first ball for months. The Bedford lock clearly anticipated the throw and managed to jump in front of Craig got the height and timing correct, ball lost. However very little was made of the opportunity, with The Warriors very quickly turning the ball over through Russell Earnshaw and countered forcing another penalty with James Brown finding a great touch deep into the Bedford 22. |
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An ideal situation for the catch and drive. We know it is
coming, they know it is coming, but it is so well executed there is just no
stopping it. With Russell Earnshaw in the No7 position, over they went with Russell scoring his first points for the club |
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Simple, very effective and a great source of points. James Brown failing to convert Worcester 12 : 0 Bedford |
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The forwards knew that they were in a battle up front, with
wonderful discipline they took all that Bedford could throw at them, taking
control of the game. The tackling of Russell Earnshaw and Richard Bates were big and fast with Russell always looking to steal the ball or make sure it cannot be recycled. The effort being put in, clearly showed there had been no slacking in training during the last week. The backs were also getting in on the act, with such a powerful platform driving forward in front of them, only wayward passing stopped what seemed certain tries |
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Once again Chris Garrard was a threat every time he got the ball, he is certainly fit and back on form, the time to recover has been well spent. It was now time for Wes Davies to get in on the act, a quick recycle right gave Brown and Trueman time to release Davies who dived in at corner Worcester 19 : 0 Bedford |
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But it was Gary Trueman who was catching the eye of the
crowd with some blistering attacks straight into and through the Bedford
defence. With Russell and David Officer on his shoulder he was having a very
good game. Once again Worcester were on the attack as the Referee blew for half time some 3 minutes early |
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