(1) Warriors Show Plenty of Fight in Stprmy Ampthill Opener
There may have been little sunshine at Dillingham Park on Saturday afternoon, but there were certainly plenty of positives for Worcester Warriors to take from their opening pre-season fixture. In conditions that can only be described as atrocious, the Warriors were edged out 14–10 by Ampthill, but the final score tells only part of the story.
With torrential rain, strong winds and increasingly difficult visibility making handling rugby almost impossible at times, this was a game that demanded a different approach. It became a battle of forwards, set-piece and sheer determination — and both sides were willing to provide it.For Worcester supporters, it was also the first opportunity to see a number of the club's new signings in Warriors colours, including Kofi Cripps and James Cherry, who both started in the back row. The club had named 12 players pulling on the Worcester shirt for the first time.
And while the result ultimately went Ampthill's way, there was enough here to suggest that the Warriors have plenty to build on.
(2) A difficult opening
The conditions dictated the opening exchanges.
Neither side was able to play the expansive rugby that supporters would normally expect from these two teams. The ball was slippery, the wind was swirling and mistakes were inevitable. Ampthill adapted slightly better and eventually forced their way into the Warriors' 22.
After sustained pressure, Barney Merrett found the gap and crashed over from close range. Luke Davidson converted to put the hosts 7–0 ahead. Despite plenty of Worcester pressure, that remained the score at half-time.
It was frustrating for the Warriors, but nobody could question the effort. |
(3) Ampthill hit back
The hosts weren't going to surrender their advantage.
As the weather deteriorated further, Ampthill returned to what was proving to be the most effective weapon of the afternoon — their driving maul.
Another sustained period of pressure eventually resulted in Jamie Fallon forcing his way over.
Davidson again converted and Ampthill had restored a nine-point advantage at 14–5.
By now, the conditions were becoming almost comical.
Visibility was poor, the rain was relentless and any attempt to move the ball through the hands carried enormous risk.
But the Warriors kept coming.
(4) Ampthill hit back
The hosts weren't going to surrender their advantage.
As the weather deteriorated further, Ampthill returned to what was proving to be the most effective weapon of the afternoon — their driving maul.
Another sustained period of pressure eventually resulted in Jamie Fallon forcing his way over.
Davidson again converted and Ampthill had restored a nine-point advantage at 14–5.
By now, the conditions were becoming almost comical.
Visibility was poor, the rain was relentless and any attempt to move the ball through the hands carried enormous risk.
But the Warriors kept coming. |
(5) Cherry powers over
With Worcester needing a score, the forwards once again provided the answer. A powerful five-metre scrum gave the Warriors the platform they needed, and James Cherry made the most of it.
The new Worcester number eight drove over for his first try in Warriors colours, bringing Worcester back to within four points at 14–10. It was another encouraging moment from a new signing and underlined why Cherry's arrival has generated interest among Warriors supporters.
Cherry joined Worcester from Nottingham after an impressive spell with the Archers, where he had developed into a prolific try-scoring back-row forward. He had also gained Premiership Cup experience with both Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers.
To see him cross the line in his first Warriors outing was certainly a welcome sight.
(6) Warriors push to the finish
The final stages became a real arm wrestle.
Worcester knew that another score would win the game, while Ampthill were desperately trying to protect their four-point lead.
The Warriors pressed forward but the conditions continued to make attacking rugby extremely difficult.
Ampthill's defence stood firm and, despite Worcester's late pressure, the hosts held on for a 14–10 victory.
It was a hugely competitive opening test for both sides, and Ampthill deserve credit for the way they adapted to the conditions and defended their advantage. |
(7) Plenty of positives for Worcester
For Warriors supporters, there is little point getting carried away by a pre-season scoreline — particularly one produced in such extraordinary conditions.
What matters is the opportunity to give new combinations valuable game time, assess new players and begin building the squad for the Championship campaign.
And there were certainly positives.
Kofi Cripps scored. James Cherry scored.
Two new back-row signings both crossed the line on their first appearance for the club, while a large number of other new recruits were given their first taste of Warriors rugby.
The defeat will undoubtedly have disappointed the players, particularly after Worcester finished last season as Championship winners, but there was plenty of fight in the performance.
Indeed, The Rugby Paper described Ampthill's victory as an early pre-season marker, while highlighting the difficult conditions and the contributions of both Cripps and Cherry.
(8) Pre-season is about building towards
the games that matter.
And if Saturday's battle at Dillingham Park is anything to go by, there is plenty of character in this new-look Warriors squad.
The weather may have been miserable. The result may not have been what the travelling Warriors supporters wanted.
But there were two very encouraging names on the scoresheet, Kofi Cripps AND James Cherry. Warriors supporters will certainly be hoping those are the first of many.
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