FT: Warriors 41-24 Bristol - The Worcester Observer

FT: Warriors 41-24 Bristol

Worcester Editorial 5th Mar, 2017 Updated: 6th Mar, 2017   0

IN A crucial Aviva Premiership bottom of the table clash, it was Warriors who came out on top in a try-scoring thriller at a sell out Sixways on Sunday.

Warriors came out of the blocks firing and following good pressure deep in the Bristol 22, scored a penalty try in the second minute.

The Sixways side had their second try when Springbok Francois Hougaard made a sublime run to the tryline following a lineout.

But Bristol hit back when Jason Woodward squeezed his way over to ground, which reduced the deficit to just seven points.




Will Spencer then dived over in the corner, before Heem stormed across for Worcester’s try bonus-point, opening a 21-point advantage going into half-time.

Warriors built on that lead in the second-half when Heem crashed over in the corner following good play from Mills and Josh Adams.


Bristol did claw back two late tries when Max Crumpton dotted down from close range and Tom Varndell ran the length of the field to ground.

But Wynand Olivier made sure there was to be no comeback when he touched down to secure what could prove to be a pivotal win come the end of the season.

In a significant game for both sides, it was the hosts who were off the mark when referee Wayne Barnes ran under the posts to reward them a penalty try following a driving maul.

Dan Tuohy was sin-binned for the incident, leaving Bristol with 14-men as Ryan Mills chipped over the extras.

Warriors looked aggressive going forward and were soon rewarded a penalty in midfield, which fly-half Mills slotted successfully to open an early 10-0 advantage.

Former Bristol flanker Marco Mama then picked up the ball in midfield and burst through an array of defenders before being thrown down short of the tryline.

As the half progressed, Worcester winger Bryce Heem was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, which halted Warriors’ thunderous momentum.

This led to the visitors picking up their first points of the afternoon, courtesy of a Gavin Henson penalty in front of the posts.

This didn’t faze the hosts, however, as they immediately bullied their way upfield and after stealing a Bristol lineout, the ball was recycled to Hougaard who made a blistering run across the tryline.

But the West Country outfit fought their way back into the contest midway through the first-half when Woodward bundled over from close range, which Henson converted to narrow the gap to 17-10.

Worcester gave themselves breathing space going into the interval though, as Joe Taufete’e and Heem linked up to allow Spencer to shove his way over, before Hougaard made a break and set up Heem to dot down.

Entering the second-half 31-10 down, Bristol tried to force their way back into the game and came close to scoring on several occasions, but Warriors made sure they would be staying above the relegation zone when Heem dived over in the corner.

The visitors eventually got their second try when Crumpton squeezed through a gap from close range, which Woodward converted.

Bristol’s fighting spirit led to them scoring again when Varndell intercepted a pass and ran the length of the pitch to ground beneath the posts, closing the gap to 36-24.

But Warriors wrapped the game up when Olivier had an easy run to the tryline following Mills’ kick downfield.

Warriors return to Premiership action on Sunday, March 26 when they travel to the Ricoh Arena to take on Wasps (kick-off 2.30pm).

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