Worcester Warriors 15 Leinster A 13
British & Irish Cup
Geoff Berkeley reports from Sixways
“A GREAT example of how to win a semi-final” was Carl Hogg’s glowing assessment of Worcester Warriors’ display to see off Leinster A last Friday.
It was not prettiest of matches as Warriors and British & Irish Cup holders Leinster slugged out an error-strewn contest.
But crucially for Hogg, it was his side who came out on top as a push-over try from Mat Gilbert, a piece of opportunism from Perry Humphreys and a late
Andy Symons penalty sealed their place in the final where they will meet Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
“I am absolutely delighted,” Hogg said. “It was not a classic game, but we found a way to win.
“I thought Leinster came out and had a real crack. They have obviously got some good strike runners and are a real threat with ball in hand.
“But I thought we went back to a power game. We knew we had some ascendancy around the set piece and we stuck to it.
“I am not sure we would have been able to do that six months ago as I think we might have looked to over play and expose ourselves.
“But tonight we found the corners, we put pressure on them and we camped inside their 22, so that was a great example of how to win a semi-final.”
With a place in the final at stake, both teams seemed to be struggling to control their nerves. Cathal Marsh missed two chances to give Leinster the lead, while Tiff Eden also went wide from the tee in the opening ten minutes.
It was Worcester who had the first try-scoring chance when flanker Gilbert powered through a gap. The ball was then swiftly moved out wide to Tom Biggs who was forced into touch.
Warriors had other opportunities to get off the mark, but instead of going for goal Eden opted to go for the corners.
And this almost came back to haunt them as Leinster went close with scintillating counter attacking move. After sprinting clear of Alex Grove, Sam Coghlan Murray, he found himself with a two-on-one, but Sam Smith came to the rescue with a fine tackle on Cian Kelleher before Mick McGrath failed to gather the loose ball.
Leinster did get on the board with a Marsh penalty, but it could have been more. This looked like being the only score of the half as Worcester struggled to take advantage of a superior forward pack.
Eden was also having a difficult day with the boot as he put another effort wide, but Warriors plugged away and soon got their reward.
Moments after loosehead prop Peter Dooley, Warriors turned the screw and Gilbert powered over in the corner from a driving lineout. Eden converted.
This should have settled Worcester, but the visitors hit back just before the break with a penalty from Marsh to cut the deficit to 7-6.
Warriors continued to hold their one point advantage for much of the second period as Leinster struggled to break down their defence.
With both sides making errors as the usually reliable Symons fluffed a penalty opportunity, the game was desperate for something to spark it into life.
And on the 65th minute the Sixways faithful finally had that moment to savour. Humpreys’ latched on to a kick and burst through the smallest of gaps. He then sprinted 45 metres to the line before diving over to give his side a 12-6 lead.
Worcester’s celebrations may have disrupted by an injury to referee Craig Evans, but their attacking intent remained as they looked to put the game to bed.
Symons failed to convert the try, but he made sure of his third attempt at the sticks to put Warriors further ahead. This looked to be enough, but Leinster set up a nervy final minute when Noel Ried touched down and Marsh added the extras.