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| Tuts' Audio Report | John Brain Interview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It was time for a
well earned break. For the supporters that is. We were all feeling
exhausted training on Guinness , bitter and cider does prepare you for the
efforts needed to cheer for 45 minutes of total commitment to your team.
Both sets of supporters took a breath and had a good chat with each other. This IS what makes our game very special! Let's not lose it to the dollar and by following soccer. We are rugby supporters and that DOES make us very different. A difference to be proud of. Pulpit away and out they came for the second half |
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Shane Drahm, resplendent in the blue of his new club got the second half underway. Would we have to defend and hold for 10 or 20 minutes or would we try and score fast and take the game by the scruff of the neck. It is no use coming out to hold, that is tantamount to accepting inferiority and displays lack of confidence, it hands the game back to the opposition. Anthony Eddie and John Brain are not men to step backward. We Attacked, at pace and power |
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We hit the
receiving Saints players with everything we had. we had them penned down.
The ball was turned over and we attacked. back down the line it came towards
the hordes of Warriors supporters and DELPORT. The crowd were in raptures as
the ball was released and Delport stormed over the line a great try. Wait, the touch judge gave "in touch" all players on both sides and supporters alike were stunned and in Saints case very relieved. The lineout was taken and the pressure relieved. Could this once again cause Worcester to lose with the same official in charge? |
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Northampton took
the opportunity and galvanised themselves. They had been let off the hook
and like any cornered animal were extremely dangerous. We now saw some delightful running from Carlos Spencer as he carved opening after opening. The first up tackles were being missed, the game was slipping from the Warriors grasp. In came the supporters as the volume of support from the visiting fans climbed to even higher volumes, in the desire to lift their hero's |
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It worked! Back came Worcester. Storming down deep into the Saints' 22. Wave after wave of blue and white shirts hit the line hard. Saints defended. Again and again the line was pressured, the try must come. Again and again opportunities appeared only for Worcester to display a flaw, the inability to finish off the attack and drive it home. Stutter after stutter gave Saints the chance to relieve their besieged goal line. Was this going to one of those days? |
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When in the
opposition half you must come away with the points! Drahm knew that and sensed points now would break the spell and allow the flood gates to open. An attempted drop goal fell short. This handed control back to Saints and once again Spencer with an eye for the gap hit it at speed. This time it was the ever reliable Rasmussen who was placed an his backside as he was mesmerized by the mercurial magician. Spencer alone was giving a chance to his team. |
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They were now
becoming dangerous as other players fed off his skills and confidence. It
was time for some last ditch defending to keep out the ever improving
Northampton Saints. With some outstanding running from Spencer Northampton finally took the lead with a fine try which was not converted again from out on the right Saints 18 : 16 Warriors |
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Northampton
continued to press as they grew in confidence and the pressure was starting
to weigh on the huge shoulders of the magnificent Worcester pack.
The following supporters opened up their hearts as they cheered for all they were worth. Could they lift their team, could they drive them on, riding on top of the waves of such passionate support. |
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It was now getting
tight. Worcester still had the possession but the free running had gone.
Things were getting slowed down. It was back to the forwards to try and
fight our way out. It does not always work and the confidence in the ability to score running tries has to prevail. Certainly the ability to keep the ball alive is growing by the game. Some great enterprising play from the interchanging forwards and backs from both side saw the game settle into the middle of the field |
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It was not boring
in the least as each team were displaying the ability to break through. they
were equally at home defending and covering across snuffing out attack after
attack. We were behind and slowly looking like not making the difference. Disaster as Northampton were awarded a penalty with their captain and fullback calmly claiming the 3 points and a 5 point lead. Now was the time for strong hearts we had the game and were now letting it slip, could it be re-taken. |
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A penalty was
awarded to Worcester and silence descended on the gardens. Drahm converted
and we were now within 2 points. many were whispering make sure you secure the bonus point, don't let them score again. Well this time it was the pressure applied by the magnificent 15 from the West Midlands and once again Saints infringed and were duly punished as Drahm converted. Worcester were back in the lead by ONE point Saints 21 : 22 Warriors |
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The hearts beat faster, the tension grew and the noise from Warriors supporters was magnificent, as was the noise from Saints fans. Horstman illegally stops release and is sent off! Penalty awarded 40 meters out on the right, 42 seconds to play. Warriors were in trouble! Supporters held their breath as total silence descended on the ground. three steps and the ball sails towards the posts. It starts to drift, it curves to the left. Silent mouths open and then explode as the ball goes wide of the posts. Worcester have won a cliff-hanger Saints 21 : 22 Warriors |
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