Lay Down Sally

(Eric Clapton)

Swing Low

(UB40)

Born To Be Wild

(Steppenwolf)

San Francisco Nights

(The Animals)

What a glorious sight!!

Manchester got the second half under way, with Craig Gillies making a great catch.

The team came around, but it was Manchester who got the better of the first encounter of the half

Keeping the Warriors pinned down in their own 22. Manchester attacked with some sharp running and good controlled thrusts up the middle.

They were finally rewarded for their efforts  with an unconverted try

Worcester 31 : 8

Back came Worcester straight onto the attack through Hinshelwood and Officer. Big Mark Gabey was now finding the spaces to show his electric pace. Phil (the power) Richards must also be a miracle worker.

The game was now fixed amongst the forward with some real hard work going in from both teams. We then had a blood replacement as Gavin Pfister was replaced by Russell Earnshaw. Was this a ploy for Gavin to break his nose and bring on Russell. If it was it was inspired.

With Russell fighting for the No7 berth with Gavin Pfister this was another chance to stake his claim on the shirt.

Once again Worcester had driven the Manchester forwards back and were attacking through a series of backrow moves, when Manchester conceded a penalty for going over the top. Ben Hinshelwood hit one of his howitzers within 5 meters of the line.

The ball came in and up soared Craig a full 6feet above his opposite number. On came the drive , with legs pumping over they went, Russell with his first touch scoring the try. There is no stopping these No7's from this distance.

Worcester 38 : 8 Manchester. The Tank was rolling again

The Worcester forwards were now in the ascendancy with Drew Hickey running the show.

The Warriors once again set up another forward drive on the Manchester line. With Drew picking and taking the ball down the narrow side, he forced his way over for another forwards try

Worcester 45 : 8 Manchester

Craig was setting up a great platform for the twinklies to strut their stuff and they did not disappoint. Running and passing was sublime, we have waited some weeks for this style to appear again.

Manchester had no answer but heart and honesty. they tackled and tackled and tackled. The ball was still being slowed down, not intentionally but they were just not fast enough to get out of the way when offside.

Darren and Ben were having a particularly good period. With the threat of Garrard and especially Hylton outside there was great anticipation in the air

Manchester still devised ways of getting at The Warriors, mainly through lost or turned over ball. However they were now running out of ideas having broken time and again on the battlements of this glorious Warriors defence.

We now had the mass replacement therapy a bit like HRT without the side effects. On came Ben Daly, Dan Zaltsman, Neil Lyman and young Rhodri McAtee, remember the name.

Within minutes of getting on the field the ball came out to Rhodri in a seemingly impossible situation, safety being the word. Well he took his chance and stood the opposition up not once but three times and made almost 10 meters from nothing

Just Passed the 10m line, he broke through and stormed away. H e beat off the fullback, hitch kicked and away again. He was caught just short of the line but with his momentum and an outstretched arm scored a great solo try

The ball was worked out wide on the left where he took over from Daren and stormed passed the defending line. On his outside was young Rhodri, the line was begging, he still had one defender to beat but looked certain to score. Unselfishly he drew the defender and slipped a perfect pass to Rhodri who went over to score his first try of the season.

Worcester 62 : 8 Manchester

Only 6 minutes to go, but enough time for the forwards and backs to bag one apiece.

Yet another forward drive ended in Lee Fortey this time going over for an un converted try.

Making the score 67 : 8. Another 7 points and we had reached the target of 700 points, could they do it.

Well at this point never bet on a Worcester team not making it's targets.

In came Crystal to score and now is was up to Tommy Hayes to get the 2 points and his 7th conversion. Was there any doubt? 2 points and a grand total of  700 in 18 games

Final Score

Worcester 74 : 8 Manchester

1.   Manchester are not one of the big guns but can play rugby much better than there position has them.

2.   There still seems to big a gap when a break or drive is made before the backrow arrive.

3.   The forwards really were too big and strong for the Manchester 8 but they did not overpower them Why??

4.   Good to see Ben and David paired up in the center together again, I feel they have always well together, complimenting each other.

5.   Daren O'Leary had another outstanding game. He wants to win and stay.

6.   Craig Mark and Drew are a fearsome trio of pace size and power.

7.   Craig once again in control of the line gives a great platform for his team to play off

8.   Jon Hylton, I think there is still a lot more to come from this young man. He has improved in physique and confidence since arriving. Mix this with his out and out pace, coaching from Andy Keast and we have a real prospect on our hands.

Now for the record of 19 out of 19 wins away at Wakefield a great club to visit friendly off the field but damn hard on it.