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| The Tuts Report | The John Brain Interview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The second half started well with a
long drop out safely taken by Mat Powell, moved to James Brown who hit a
sweet ball almost up to the halfway line. Good solid sensible rugby. Safe
and nerve settling. This time the ball was stolen by Craig and we were off and running. The players were going in faster, harder, with a lot more determination and desire to knock Gloucester backwards. It worked as Gloucester were now back peddling giving the Worcester attack opportunities to create some holes. |
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It was not long before Tim Collier was replaced an incident I missed completely. Caused by the foul language of a lady next to me and her daughter. I served in the Army for 27 years and I have never heard anything like it. We may be new to the premiership but I will always show respect for the people around me especially if they are children. I am proud to be a Worcester supporter, I do not have to be, nor do I intend to be, a clone of a Gloucester Supporter. Having said that the majority of Glaws fans around us were excellent company and credit to their club Back to the game. At this stage it was all Worcester asking the questions and unfortunately it was Gloucester who had the defensive answers. We have to learn that if the referee does not penalise the tackler for not rolling away then we must and not get caught. |
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It was 21: 6 and a long way to go, but we now looked dangerous and capable. Until once again a lost ball in contact gave a counter opportunity to Gloucester. First and last time in our half and they score through a missed first up tackle, allowing them to build pace and surge through a massive gap in the defence |
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But this did not dent the impetus now
building in the Warriors forwards. They were getting back into the pace of the game as they got their second wind |
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Mat Powell decided
he was going to use his attacking skills and it was this change of attack
that created the success. Suddenly we looked capable of breaking down the
defence as he ripped into the holes laying off good ball to his supporting
backrow. Had the game plan changed , had they gone to plan B whatever it was it worked |
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Worcester were now
taking charge of the game as lineouts started to go our way and we were
getting to the breakdown in good numbers and recycling FAST driving deeper
and deeper into the defence. The Gloucester defence is well marshalled and no matter how hard or how close the Warriors got, they just could not get the ball over the line. Time and gain they were on the line only for Mr Spreadbury to save Gloucester with some very dubious penalty awards. One day we will get the rub, honest! |
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The Warriors supporters had kept up their
cheers and were now in full voice as once again Worcester created another
attack. Giscard Pieter showing his strength and determination to burst
through several tackles.
Where were the loose forwards to support him. |
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Delport was probably having the worst game
of his life here at his old ground. Chants of He-Haw echoing round the
stadium as the Gloucester supporters applied even more pressure on him. However his kicking from hand was very good indeed. Thinus is class and will come through. Class is permanent form is temporary |
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We were now moving into the last few
minutes of the game as Matt Powell single handedly got the team going
forward with purpose again. Could we score? We were certainly looking the most capable as attack after attack rained in on the beleaguered Gloucester line. Finally, it came. It went to my man of the match, Mat Powell, who in support of his own initial break took the ball and over he went for a well deserved try |
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From the restart it
was Worcester who went straight back into the attack. Could they get the
bonus point, a try would do it! Taking tap penalties in their own 10 meter clearly demonstrating how much these points meant to them. The supporters were going wild trying to lift them on, as they tried and tried and tried. The whistle came as time ran out Gloucester 28 : 16 Worcester |
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Observations: 1. Once again we have gone backwards after a rest from league rugby. 2. The difference this time is that we were almost back on song the whole of the second half. 3. The backrow is not balanced it looks and feels wrong. We are missing Leon Greef. 4. I feel Drew Hickey is a better No8 than Henderson and he plays better with Sanderson. Maybe time to give Mason a run at No6, what has happened to Mark Gabey 5. We seemed to have lost the physicality that we were so proud of. For the first time we were last to the ball, for the whole of the first half 6. The second half was a big improvement but we still need more if we are to take the points against Leeds next Friday. 7. Pat Sanderson was not his normal dynamic self we have come to admire. He and Delport are players that will always come back with big games. Leadership from the front is what we want now. |
8. We are winning lots of ball, but we need a flyhalf that will control the game not just be part of it 9. Absolutely fantastic how the players and the supporters never gave up the whole game. The players worked and worked, getting themselves back into shape. They gave it all on the day. 10. The support was great. I feel we made our presence felt in the shed and on the field. I hope the players were grateful. We will never know as they left the field without a wave or backward glance at the supporters. Guys you did not let us down, we were all very proud to be Warriors Supporters. Maybe you will come and join the supporters on a social evening. It would be much appreciated and would mean so much to everyone Now for Leeds and Fortress Sixways. Keep this short!! You all know by now what is needed. lets do it for you, for the players, for Worcester for Cecil. Bring them on, because we are ready!!!! |
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