 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
The break came
to an end and the excitement was already at fever pitch. The question on
everybody's lips was, "just how many points do you think we will score?" I had spoken with a few players at the break and was reliably informed that Ice and Drew would be at least another month away from playing. If it has to be in any position then backrow and wing is probably our strongest in depth. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
On with the
game. Calvisano came out of the blocks like a frenzied whirlwind and it must have been 15 minutes before the Warriors got hold of the ball. The visitors threw it all at Worcester |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Using the power
of their forwards and determination to come away from this game with
some pride in tact, they attacked at every opportunity. It was controlled aggression that drove them into some highly dangerous situations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
They were
helped by some slowness to the ball from our loose forwards and some
pretty dismal first up tackling around the fringes and in midfield. You must remember that they have been one of the best side in Italy for several years and with Griffen at scrum half have a very good general leading them. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
As can be seen
here the Calvisano backrow were punching down the No10 channel and then
moving it out wide as our midfield moved in to close the hole. The ball should have been secured or even turned over as Harding was there at the tackle but the other backrow forwards were just that split second to late and the ball was recycled fast out to the supporting backs |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
There were
definitely some subtle infringements going stopping our defence from
getting at the ball carriers but you have to get around those because it
will happen all this season. Griffen was determined to that his team would get some scores |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The first
opening came and it was snatched immediately as over went the Italian
backs for a well worked try. This was then converted by the very good Calvisano fly half (I am not even going to attempt to spell it) Warriors 38 : 07 Calvisano |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This pressure
was immediately re applied from an appalling attempt to secure the ball
at the restart. This lead to another concerted phase of Calvisano pressure resulting in try No2 Warriors 38 : 14 Calvisano |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
It was time for
the Warriors to turn it on again, as the some of the eternal doubters
were getting restless. A lesson for all supporters - NEVER doubt your team during a game, it is like a plague and spreads throughout the supporters and players like a wildfire! After a game discuss it all you like but during the game it has to be total belief that we are the best team and will WIN!!! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Warriors
were once again hitting the straps as the set about recreating their
first half's awesome performance. The team were attacking deep into enemy territory and looking good for a try, when a too ambitious miss pass from Whatling was intercepted and the Calvisano outside center took off for the whitewash |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Once again
Thinus showed just how committed he is. He chased and chased and chased
an was overhauling him after giving him a 20 meter start. The player knew he was not going to make the line and dived from fully 10 meters out. His slide just took him over the whitewash as Thinus passed him on the floor Warriors 38 : 21 Calvisano |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
The crowd were
hushed and the doubters once again raised their voices in concern. READ the ABOVE. During the game NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP! The players wont!!! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
By this time
Gillies was on and Sanderson had had his allowed 60 minutes and on had
come Gavin Quinnell, who is very quickly becoming a crowd favourite with
his powerful surging runs. He did not disappoint! He carried the ball through the defence every single time and not once was he caught with the ball. He always laid the ball off or instantly made it available for the supporting players |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Once again we
were off and running with Drahm causing havoc along with Rasmussen who
was now storming onto the ball and making the half breaks. Ras was having his best attacking day made possible by young Simon Whatling acting a s a second fly half and creating the half gaps for him to exploit. Having a capable flyhalf at 12 is a ploy used by many clubs and in Whatling we have that capability |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
We saw again
the cross field chip from flyhalf straight into Garvey's welcoming
hands. We did not score from it this time, but it keeps the drift
defence stretched wide. Finally we broke scoring another team try with lots of supporting phases Warriors 45 : 21 Calvisano |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On came Gotting. He is a very different player to Fortey and Van Niekerk, much more an athlete acting as the second openside. A bit like a bigger stronger version of Gavin Hickie. He is good very good. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Young Calum
Black came on to partner a new front row of TT, Gotting and Black with
Gillies and Blaze at lock and Quinnell, Harding and Horstmann as the
loose trio. It was another great combination as the scrum was solid and the work around the ball was even more intensified. Gillies was now in total control of all the lineouts, taking their ball at will |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I have no
pictures but we now had one of the best tries of the night from Marcel
Garvey. He had already scored a beauty of movement an guile now it was
all about speed. He received the ball in acres of space just over the halfway line with no one in front of him and the cover defence screaming to get across |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
With sheer pace
he was past the groping hands of their own speedy winger. The Calvisano
defence was hurtling towards the corner to cut him off. He then half stepped inside, which stood up the defence and then just hit the gas and stretched away past the second set of groping hands. The crowd were on their feet as one! What a magnificent try!! Warriors 52 : 21 Calvisano |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
