Lay Down Sally

(Eric Clapton)

Swing Low

(UB40)

Born To Be Wild

(Steppenwolf)

San Francisco Nights

(The Animals)

Manchester had come to Sixways firmly rooted at the bottom of the division. Experience has taught us, never underestimate anyone in this league, especially Manchester as they always play enterprising rugby, having scored many a try against The Warriors

Giving a great opportunity for Mat Powell to get another long run. With the Natal scrum half signed for a 3 month trial he also would get plenty of game time.

Tommy Hayes got the game underway, with Worcester immediately knocking the ball on and turning over the resultant scrum. The Warriors applied the pressure with fast powerful drives, forcing Manchester to concede a penalty. A regulation kick into the corner from Ben Hinshelwood saw a good catch and drive. BUT, Manchester were not going to be rolled over here.

They defended the first drive, conceding a scrum. They defended the first scrum and forced The Warriors out wide on the right. The ball was recycled, fed back down the line to Jon Hylton who just hit the go button and he was gone, like a hot knife through a firm slice of Brie.

Worcester 5 : 0 Manchester  3 Mins

It was now time for some fast intense rugby and set the scene for the rest of the game. The ball was being recycled quickly through Mat Powell who distributed well either side of the breakdown. the sheer pace and power now being generated by this Worcester 8 is massive.

The ball was kicked deep into the Manchester 22 where the pace of the chasing threequarters forced a crazy error.

The fullback was tackled in possession and the ball turned over.

It was quickly worked to the right through the backrow and then sent spinning back down the line for, Jon Hylton to step on the gas and cruise outside of  two Manchester defenders

Tommy once again failed to convert against a formidable wind

Worcester 10 : 0 Manchester

Now, Daren O'Leary has taken some stick from many supporters including myself, for lack of pace and commitment. Well let me say humble pie tastes all the sweeter when you see the talent this man has.

He looked sharp and very quick, cutting the Manchester defence to pieces. He set up a great run, gave the ball to the flying Jon Hylton who set off at electric pace carving through the defenders a certain try looked inevitable, he then timed a superb pass to David Officer who took a great line scoring under the posts

Could Tommy convert this one!!

YES!!

Worcester 17 : 3 Manchester (16 minutes Gone)

The whole back line were on fire!

All wanting to join in and get some tries. No relaxing from the league leaders it was a very passionate and committed game from both teams.

The Worcester backrow in Hickey and Pfister were everywhere, tackling, running and passing. When the hard yards were needed in would come the mighty Richard Bates and Mark Gabey to drive through the defenders.

Craig Gillies, is quite simply "Craig Gillies" and he IS Mr Lineout, once again in command of the line

Tommy Hayes was in good running form very powerful with a good long pass makes it very difficult to defend against. Do you commit your backrow onto the inside or go out wide to defend against the long pass. he would then slip the ball back inside to his powerful forwards.

Ben Hinshelwood was having another good game, partnered with the powerful David Officer.

It was finally Ben on 19 Minutes who took the ball on, after some fine work inside, past the flatfooted defenders to score the Bonus Try

Tommy hit the most curious of conversions, it must have moved in five different directions finally going over for the 2 points

Worcester 24 : 3 Manchester

The bonus point after 9 minutes, 12 points clear in the league, would this be the time to relax and maybe fall foul of a sucker punch.

Not this team, not these players. It was a matter of upping the anti and driving home the total superiority. You have to be lethal in this professional world, no quarter asked for or given if you are to succeed at the highest level.

The forwards now powered in, they were not going to let the fancy boys in the back have all the limelight.

Drive after drive was set-up, nearer and nearer cam the line. Over the line and a great forward team try. Who was? Who else but My Dynamo Gavin Pfister

Worcester 31 : 3 Manchester

Tommy, Ben, David, Daren and the two flyers Chris and Jon were in fine form. BUT one sensed too much urgency to score could cost them and it very nearly did.

A great break from a turnover ball saw the Manchester openside run 50 meters deep into the Worcester 22

Again and again Manchester came forward only to be repelled, ONLY to be given another penalty and they ran everyone of them!

With 13 men and a rampant Manchester determined to come away with a score, it was high octane stuff this.

In the space of 8 minutes Worcester conceded 8 penalties against a match average of 10

Now where the team up for this pressure to keep their line unbroken? How important was it to then to achieve a no try target?

Well take a look at those faces and it tells you the whole story.

THEY WILL NOT PASS!!

And they didn't!!!