Not since the Crusades have the Saracens faced such an awesome band of English Warriors and didn’t we give them a game to remember!

 Vicarage Road is a world away from Sixways:  ranks of multi-national sponsors; boxes dedicated to famous names; acres of echoing football terraces; no parking; few loos; and bright banners exhorting round-ball fans to “Follow the Hornets”.  In these surroundings a rugby club has to work hard to make visiting fans feel at home – but that is just what the Saracens supporters went out of their way to do.  From the policemen detailed to meet us on arrival to the friendly waves that sent our coach on its way home, everyone we met made us welcome.

Pete-Fez and his companions set the tone when they took us into the Members’ Bar where we also met Mudz, Trickey and Roger.  “Beat Brive and we’ll see you in the Parker Pen semis,” they said encouragingly, “and if you go to Brive, don’t miss eating at “La Truffe Noir.”

“Make sure you stay up – you did well last week and we’re already looking forward to coming to Worcester.  Hope it’s as good as the Gloucester trip.”

 These were dyed-in-the-wool supporters who had supported Sarries through thick and thin as their velvet fez smothered in badges from Penzance to Glasgow could testify.

“We travel on the team coach – and you should have seen their faces in Glasgow when they thought we were the team!”  (Hardly surprising when some of these chaps made the Pieman look like Ben Gollings.)

“Couldn’t even get a pin badge in Newcastle,” complained one, whose battered fez sported the trophies of many a battle.

 When we expressed admiration for the famous names gracing their team sheet, one added gloomily, “Lots of star players doesn’t always make a star team”. They gave us the low-down on other grounds:  “In Sale they told us off for making too much noise because it disturbed the neighbours”.  We were suitably shocked but, having heard the noise they made in Watford, we had some sympathy for the neighbours in Sale

The Saracens pack really is a "Who's Who" of  forwards. "Packed" with famous international names, Hill, Visagie, Randell all top quality internationals. How would a massively depleted front row cope with such quality?

James Brown got the game underway with a towering kick deep into midfield. The intent from the Warriors was obvious as they powered into the catching Saracens, driving them backwards with such ferocity

A penalty was quickly conceded and converted by Saracens to give them a 3:0 lead. This just lit the touch paper of  an explosive 3 minutes as The warriors turned on the power and speed at the breakdown. Clearing out the rucks with utter contempt of the Saracens pedigree's. then drive on towards the try line

As the pack stormed forward lead by Tim Collier, Stephen Sparkes took the ball at the back came round the side and forced his way over for the first premiership try for Worcester

Saracens 3 : 7 Warriors

The massive support from Worcester were delirious and didn't they make it known. the cheers and chants of Warriors Warriors ringing out across Vicarage Road. It was a very special moment for players, Supporters and coaches. The Warriors were here at last.

Saracens kicked off only to be taken by Craig Gillies who very quickly got the ball on the move and another attack was underway. Every breakdown was being dominated by the sheer speed and ferocity of these might Warriors.

Saracens were in shock!! Who were these upstarts, who had so cruelly been denigrated by Morris and Co.

Let me tell you they are The Worcester Warriors and they are here to stay

The warriors dominated all aspects of the game in the first half, apart from their set scrums. They were there first at every breakdown and the ball was out and driven forward sucking in the defending players. However that key element of quick distribution and attacking lines to make that clean break was not there Possession and territory was our but points did not come

The Saracens front row were taking apart the Warrior's. Several times Warriors took the scrum down. But, and this is very important, "they never once gave up, they took it and fought back" At times it looked as if  The w=warriors would be overwhelmed by the opposing pack, but no as the game went on it was time for the Saracens pack to feel the power and skill of The Warriors pack.

Several times Saracens were driven backwards, with Tim Collier providing enormous power and timing to just shunt them back.

Tim was having a great game and didn't the Worcester Supporters appreciate it.

Saracens in one of their rare attacking moves saw paul Bailey skip through 3 tackles to score.

Saracens 8 : 7 Warriors

He really should have been tackled into touch, a rare defensive error by this pumped up Warriors defence.

It was now time again for Worcester to go on the offensive. The speed and ferocity of their attacks were further lifted by the continual chants of Warriors, Warriors coming from the supporters. It was spine chilling stuff, team going well, supporters in full voice and Sarries fans starting to waver. Could we do it, we looked the better side.

Saracens concede a penalty in the Worcester half. Up stepped Tommy Hayes who calmly stroked the ball between the uprights with yardage to spare

Half Time Saracens 8 : 10 Worcester