Thomas sees red as Warriors lose at Saints - The Worcester Observer

Thomas sees red as Warriors lose at Saints

Worcester Editorial 17th Feb, 2014 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

WORCESTER Warriors’ 30-14 defeat to Northampton Saints on Saturday felt like a slap in the face to director of rugby Dean Ryan who was enraged after Jonathan Thomas saw red.

A well-taken try from David Lemi put Warriors in contention at Franklin’s Gardens as they trailed by four points with 25 minutes left.

But when Thomas struck Sam Dickinson in the face after the Northampton flanker pulled him back there was only going to be one winner.

Worcester’s captain was given his marching orders and the Saints went marching on as Sixways bound GJ Van Velze notched up two tries for his current employers.




But Ryan refused to blame Thomas for his side’s 14th loss of the season which leaves Warriors 11 points adrift of safety.

“That was tough day upfront for us and we were putting in a good shift. but when you go a man down it just makes it easier for them,” he said.


“We were in the game at time of the red card and we could have got something out of that, but we don’t know what now.

“We ended up with Thomas and Sam Betty off the field for a slap in the face and a reaction for holding.

“Northampton had four or five guys holding off the ball and nothing was done about it until we reacted, so what can we do?”

Meanwhile, Ryan was delighted at the fighting spirit of his players who battled from start to finish.

They also opened the scoring as Chris Pennell coolly dispatched a penalty after just five minutes.

It did not take long, though, before the league leaders got on the score-sheet as Stephen Myler landed a penalty, while Jamie Elliot came close to going over in the corner.

Myler added two further penalties before Warriors suffered another blow when Leonardo Senatore was yellow carded.

But they managed to see out what looked to be a crucial ten minutes before the interval as Pennell had the final word in the first half.

The full back’s penalty cut back the deficit to three points, but Saints’ dominance at the scurm and at the breakdown was still causing Worcester problems.

Some last-ditch defending denied Samu Manoa and Alex Waller from crossing the whitewash, but the pressure soon told as referee Wayne Barnes awarded a penalty try, which Myler dispatched.

However, Warriors did not let that affect them as they responded in superb style after Lemi broke through. The Samoan fed Alex Grove who kicked the ball through for the experienced wing to touch down.

Although Pennell failed to add the extras, Warriors were in the contest as Saints held a slender 16-11 advantage.

But the turning point came in a frenetic five minute period with the match entering its final half an hour. Firstly, Thomas was brandished a red card for hitting out at Dickinson, who was also yellow carded before Betty was sin-binned moments later.

This left the visitors with only 13 men on the pitch and Saints took full advantage as number eight Van Velze burrowed over, which Myler converted.

Pennell cut back the deficit with a penalty, but the victory was all but sealed on the 69th minute when Van Velze powered over for his second of the afternoon. Myler added the extras.

Northampton threw everything at Warriors as they attempted to chalk up a bonus point, but, to Worcester’s credit, Ryan’s men hung on.

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