A WIN for Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership seemed an improbable task having suffered 22 straight defeats, while a victory on the road appeared to be little more than a dream.
But on Sunday, Warriors, who had not won away in the league since January 2012, ended both of their unwanted records in one fell swoop at Newcastle Falcons as they clinched a well-deserved 17-12 victory.
Andy Symons was the hero as the young centre’s scintillating run set up Josh Drauniniu for the match-winning try with eight minutes left at Kingston Park.
The much-needed win also keeps Warriors’ survival hopes alive as they now trail Newcastle by nine points and director of rugby Dean Ryan said he was delighted to see his side finally get a reward for their endeavours this season.
“I’m just really pleased for the players,” he said. “They’ve had a couple of rough rides in recent weeks. We’ve been tight as a team for months and they haven’t disintegrated.
“We’re not pretending we’re a top-six side but we’ve become a pretty strong group and that’s the first place for us starting to move forward.”
The scene appeared to be set for another miserable afternoon for Warriors’ supporters who arrived to a gloomy and bitterly cold Kingston Park. And it was the hosts who got the first points on the board as Phil Godman dispatched a fifth minute penalty.
But Worcester, who were looking to hit back after their gut-wrenching defeat to London Wasps last week, quickly got themselves back on level terms, with Chris Pennell hitting the target.
The full back, who has become a long kick specialist in recent months, then added another three points from distance to nudge Worcester 6-3 in front.
Godman slotted home the equaliser from the tee as Newcastle’s pack began to assert their dominance, but there was little between the two sides as they fought out a dismal first half.
However, Warriors missed the chance to gain the ascendancy at the break and instead gifted Falcons a 9-6 lead. Pennell and Ryan Lamb both failed to land penalties, with the latter striking the upright after Godman scored for Newcastle.
But Warriors got back on track at the start of the second period as Lamb nailed his next attempt at goal to level the tie.
And the kicking contest continued as Godman converted his fourth penalty of the afternoon before Lamb cancelled it out with a coolly dispatched effort from distance.
Live-wire wing Sinoti Sinoti was proving to be Newcastle’s biggest threat going forward as he searched for an opening, but Warriors’ defence was holding firm.
Worcester, meanwhile, were also struggling to find a breakthrough until replacement Symons produced a moment of magic. The centre carved open Falcons’ defence with an arching run before offloading to Drauniniu who simply touched down in the corner. Lamb failed to add the extras, but the Fijian’s score gave Worcester a 17-12 lead.
The match suddenly sparked into life as James Fitzpatrick sent his side on the attack. But this time Warriors clung on to record a morale-boosting victory.