Gamble pays off for Ruddock as Worcester Warriors tame Gloucester

Mar 23 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Post

GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP: WORCESTER WARRIORS 14 GLOUCESTER 10

The sight of a Cherry and White shirt is enough to galvanise even the most timorous Warrior and a victory over their bitter rivals allows the Sixways crowd to forgive almost any number of sins.

Heavens knows there have been a few of them so far this year. From the failure to beat Bristol at home to the flaccid display at London Irish last Sunday, or indeed any of the numerous non-performances in between, there have been enough reasons for the Worcester faithful to question their allegiance.

But after a gutsy slugfest when Mike Ruddock’s men battled themselves and their opponents to a standstill this is a fan-base back in love with their team and they will hope it will kick-start a positive finish to the season.

While Willie Walker and Marcel Garvey, both Gloucester old boys, accounted for Warriors’ points this victory was earned by their forwards who to a man turned in a magnificent effort.

The Worcester back row has been accused of lacking dynamism at times but Kai Horstmann in particular and Pat Sanderson and James Collins alongside him ran themselves ragged.

Greg Rawlinson seemed back to his physical best and his massive first half hit on Apo Satala seemed to lift the whole stadium. Suddenly the kick chase was better, the breakdown became more messy and crucially the supporters recognised their team.

It was certainly different to the one that lost at the Madejski Stadium and Ruddock revealed why: “We took a bold gamble and only trained twice this week. We came in on Monday and had a barbecue,” the director of rugby said.

“We tried to freshen the guys up to create enthusiasm in our defensive system, that’s what happened. Sometimes you have to make those calls as a coach, this time it has worked for us. The boys’ commitment was magnificent.”

Worcester’s first half was better than anyone at Sixways had a right to expect. An interval lead of 14-10 was beyond all but the wildest dreams.

It only slightly flattered the hosts too given the abiding features of the half had been the hosts’ manful work rate and the visitors’ supremacy at the scrum.

Young Callum Black making the first Premiership start of his career will reflect on what a difficult environment the English top flight is.

He can only be grateful that it was Nick Wood who was his direct opponent and not one of the behemoth’s who lurk in some Premiership front rows.

Not that the Gloucester loosehead didn’t make Black’s full league debut a thoroughly unpleasant occasion. Thankfully it lasted less than half an hour before a cut forced him off and the sturdier Darren Morris into the fray.

That said it was Worcester who produced the only moment of genuine first period inspiration, by which time they had lost Chris Latham once again.

The Australian lasted just a quarter of an hour before a dislocated shoulder ended his afternoon without it ever actually beginning. He will not play again this season after also fracturing his scapula.

When that last happened, against Sale in February, Warriors fell apart. This was to be a different matter as Walker dropped back and Gloucester never showed the nous to test him out.

It was Garvey however, that started the shockwaves rippling.

Sixteen minutes had passed when the pack trundled into the 22 and play was switched to Garvey’s sideline.

The 25-year-old stepped inside Will James, hitch-kicked out of Rory Lawson’s desperate tackle and scuttled over the line.

It was his first try of an injury disrupted season and it sent the record crowd into meltdown.

Gloucester hit back with a penalty try midway through the half when the home front row popped up as they were frog-marched back towards their own line.

Then came Walker’s turn. Having failed to convert Garvey’s try he landed three penalties in eight minutes as Gloucester’s discipline deserted them.

A Carlos Spencer goal made it 14-10 with the last play of the half.

Worcester spent the second period almost entirely on the defensive but their structures and discipline remained in tact. Will Bowley caught Spencer from behind as he was about to cross the line and Ryan Powell came from nowhere to scythe down Luke Narraway in the act of scoring.

Such deeds of heroism were typical of Warriors’ spirited effort and breathed life into the love affair between Worcester and their public. They’ll be sharing a barbecue.

WORCESTER: Latham (Jones 14); Garvey, Gear, Rasmussen, Benjamin; Walker, Powell; Mullan, Fortey (Lutui 63), Black (Morris 29), Rawlinson, Bowley, Collins (Talei 52), Sanderson, Horstmann. Replacements: Gillies, Arr, Grove.
GLOUCESTER: Morgan; Balshaw, Watkins, Allen, Sharples (Barkley 57); Spencer (Lamb 67), Lawson R (Cooper 75); Wood, Azam, Somerville, James (Eustace 67), Brown, Satala, Qera (Hazell 57), Narraway. Replacements: Lawson S, Forster

Referee: Mr Dave Pearson (RFU)