As Ben takes time to review the situation and get his mind prepared for the game the nPowerettes warm up the crowd with some great routines

It was good to be back at Sixways.  The feel-good factor still prevailed after our tremendous efforts at Saracens’ last week and the fans were looking forward to an exciting game.

Upstairs, the chefs were busy putting the finishing touches to an early lunch.  We met two Bristol supporters who were impressed with our new East stand and hoping to see a Bath defeat!  Across the room we spotted a white-haired figure, head and shoulders above everyone else: Jack Rowell.  The man who has done so much for English rugby provided his autograph with a modest smile.

Round tables in the dining-room this season help to engender a convivial atmosphere and forge new links between supporters. The food is excellent and the staff are helpful – do give it a try.

As a post-prandial “cabaret”, Dave Bradley hosted a question-and-answer session with Jon Higgins and Ben Gollings. (Jon said that playing was much less scary than answering questions from the floor.) The players then circulated amongst the diners.  We were struck by the commitment of both men: they were hungry to win their places in the starting line-up and spoke warmly of the team spirit of the Warriors.

And so to the match.  Would “Mad Dog” Maddock show his teeth?  Would we win line-out ball when up against the England duo of Grewcock and Borthwick? Once again, we were facing a team studded with famous names: last year’s League leaders who had more than a point to prove.  Nearly 7,000 in the ground; polite applause for Bath; Carmina Burana and a great roar for the Warriors.  The game kicked off…. 

It was a game that could go either way. Could the newcomers get their first victory, would Bath, last years finalists sweep all before them.

The atmosphere was alive with expectation, let the games begin as Sparticus valiantly exalted the crowd to magnificent cheers from both teams!!

The ball was quickly spun wide through Brown and a lovely long miss pass out to Delport who stepped on the gas, found a half gap but could not release the supporting Lombard

Third time unlucky. As Brown tried yet another miss pass Daniel intercepted, stepped inside a weak tackle from Lombard and out sprinted lee Fortey to score a breakaway try. The question is did he drop it over the line??

You wondered had the wind, the confidence been knocked out of them, it certainly affected them. But back they came through their rampaging forwards. Phase after phase, inch after inch they worked their way into the Bath half

The pressure finally told as Bath gave away a penalty for slowing down the ball at a ruck.

Up stepped Mr Cool, Tommy Hayes and hit a peach of a ball bisecting the uprights for the well deserved 3 points.

Warriors 3 : 7 Bath

Bath responded with great speed attacking in numbers and spreading the ball wide and then back in. A good clean ball out to Barkley saw him in acres of space as he dropped a goal to take Bath 7 Points clear again.

Warriors 3 : 10 Bath

On came Bath again setting up numerous attacks, with the Warriors resisting valiantly.

Craig Gillies and Ben Daly were once again in fantastic from at the line. Taking all their own ball and some of  Bath's. A good platform was being created for the Warriors midfield to attack from.

But once again they were unable to take advantage, unable to find a way through the Bath defence, which is not the best in the league either.

However weaknesses in the midfield defence were once again exposed as a series of attacks slowly opened up the defence for Barkley to produce a great grubber for Mike Tindall to run onto and score under the posts.

This was not looking good!!

In the space of 21 minutes the Warriors had conceded 17 points leaving them two converted tries behind the visitors. It looked very ominous!!

Could he do it? Would the team respond or was this going to be the drubbing feared by the fans and predicted by the pundits would happen to Worcester at some stage

Bath were straight back onto the attack, the warriors looked slower and less determined as they entered the breakdowns. But they held out and gradually, ever so gradually they fought their way back. Led by some real stiffening in defence. Trueman had been replaced by Hinshelwood and his presence had had a lifting effect on all the players.

Now it was time to turn it around, to start asking Bath some questions, with Gillies, Greeff , Daly and Collier now driving hard around the rucks. However Sanderson seemed oddly quiet with Henderson not really making an impression on the opposition

Although several counter attacks from Bath created holes out on the right as the pace on the wings began to give the Warriors defence problems. Delport was there, putting in some try saving tackles forcing the attackers into touch. This gave Daly and Gillies the chance to resume their dominance and secure good possession. But we did not use it well at all!!

Bath like all premiership side are extremely well versed on how to play the referees and slow down the ball enough to flatten our back line. Finally the referee started to penalise Bath, awarding Worcester 2 consecutive penalties which Tommy Hayes calm converted both from close the halfway line

Worcester 9 : 17 Bath

Back came Bath putting enormous pressure on the Worcester pack with Tim Collier conceding a penalty for going through offside

Warriors 9 : Bath 20

Worcester surged back up field putting the Bath defence under pressure as they attacked from around the fringes. Making their way inexorably towards the try line. Then in came Mike Tindall from the side and kicked the ball away. Finally enough was enough for the referee as Tindall was despatched  to the bin for 10 minutes and Tommy Hayes converted the penalty to take the half time score to

Worcester 12 ; 20 bath