Would the pressure tell, who would falter first. Bath were down to 14 men and The Warriors just had to make that pay!!

Worcester 12 : 23 Bath

Hickey replaced Henderson, now whether it was this change or just fortunate but the game changed. In his first lineout Hickey stole a ball right out of Grewcock's hands. The crowd woke up!! the team woke up!! They attacked and attacked in numbers. Forcing Bath to knock on just outside their own 22. From the scrum Cole put up a great box kick.

Chasing up was James Brown determined to make amends for his first half display. A lucky deflection took the ball to James who made the half break and off loaded to Lombard.

Thomas then using his strength and some speed ran into the corner to touch down for the Warriors first home try. Converted by that man Tommy Hayes

Worcester 19 : 23 Bath

The Warriors lineout was in control of the game, giving the team immense confidence to go for touch. The one area still a real problem is the front row. During the whole game it had been a problem. With Windo and especially Fortey, who was playing out of position, giving 900% for the cause. It made a difference but Fortey had to be replaced as he was out on his feet, replaced by Steven Sparkes.

The forwards were working hard very, very hard

Like all good sides when you concede points you lift yourself and go onto a massive attack. That is exactly what Bath did.

The sheer pace and intensity of it all was breathtaking. Would the Warriors hold out or would Bath breakthrough. The answer came from yet another conceded penalty from the forwards for going offside.

Up came Barkley to calmly convert the points to take his personal tally to 16 Points. Not bad on your return to rugby from a serious injury.

In came the loose forwards driving the Bath defence backwards. It was creaking, only to concede the try saving penalty, saving 4 points

Worcester 22 : 26 Bath

It was Worcester who were now having the best of the game. they looked fitter and more determined to score. Bath were going to hang on and counter attack, if they could!!

Retention in the tackle has got to be improved if we are to make headway. The lineout was going well!!

Since the arrival of Stuart-Smith the pace of the Worcester attack had increased. His ability to recover fast ball for his supporting runners is excellent

Worcester were now well on top and threatening the Bath Line. With just 4 points behind a try was all that was needed. Penalties were being kicked into the corner as pressure was piled on to the ever weakening defence. Could Worcester do it, could they force the final ounce of effort from the players and get that all important score. Everything was thrown at the fiercely defending Bath payers.

Finally 2 minutes to go a line out 3 meters out. The lineout had been superb could Van Neikerk finally hit his man. the answer was no. The ball was stolen and the chance was lost. 1 minute later another identical chance, once again we failed to win the line as a free kick was awarded to Bath, HOW??

Final score Worcester

 22 : 26 Bath

1.   We threw away a game that was there for the taking. Is it nerves, because away at Saracens we were magnificent, what happened in between time.

2.   Handling from too many players was atrocious, many watching the players and not the ball.

3.   Retention in the tackle was poor giving turnover ball to bath and playing high risk rugby you are in trouble if you cannot retain the ball.

4.   The backs were standing still every time the ball came out. Gary Trueman did not make one foraging run the whole time he was on. Where is it going wrong. Is it the forwards who are not clearing the rucks quick enough, is it Cole who is too slow to get the ball out, is it Brown who takes too long to pass long or short. Whatever it is we look static with no pace because we are so flat.

5.   The front row we know is under strength through injury and the players are doing the best they can. It will be at least 3 weeks before injured players become available and then another two weeks to get them match hardened/fit. That is 5 weeks. That will be 8 games gone out of the first half of an 11 match season or 33% of all league matches. This area needs sorting fast before it has passed us by. How they do that is up to the coaches and the club.

6.   Unless we can find some pace out on the flanks we will not threaten the defences in this division. We are two wingers short, you have to have pace to burn on both wings.

7.   Delport had a very good return to rugby, although bath had the sense to keep the ball away from his counter attacks he managed to get into the midfield on a couple of occasions creating holes both times. His cover tackling was exemplary covering for missed tackles out on the flanks several times.

8.   Hickey when he came on changed the game. He was everywhere. His determination and bravery turned over several balls taking every 50/50 ball. he was my man Of the Match from the  bench.

9.   Hinshelwood immediately showed his class as soon as he come on the field. he was the one who started to force holes in the mid-field and his defence was tight.

10. I thought when Stuart-Smith came on the speed of the Worcester game went up another notch.

11.   The lineout with Daly, Collier, Gillies and Hickey is as good as you will get anywhere in the premiership and Daly is the lynchpin. He had another outstanding game at hooker.

12.  Each game we have improved, taking another step up the ladder of learning. The way the team came back from 17:3 down to dominate the last 60 minutes with 19 points to 9 tells us all a lot about their character. They are not ever going to rollover for anyone. However they have got to find that winning combination.

As it stands with injuries and quality we need two props, two wingers, a playmaker at flyhalf or scrumhalf and a specialist center. Although Lombard when he moved inside looked much more capable than on the flank. he seems to lose concentration out there.

With our first two home games totalling almost 16,000 supporters, a fantastic stadium for players to play in and supporters to enjoy state of the art facilities. We have already achieved what Rotherham did in the whole season. We have a lot to offer the Premiership, we are a much needed addition to the Zurich Premiership. Lets make sure we keep this fantastic home support, it will help keep us here where we want be!!