Warriors on rampage in record-setting rout
WORCESTER inflicted a record- breaking seven- try defeat on Bristol to set nerves aflutter at the bottom of the Premiership.
it was their highest points tally and biggest league win ever, beating the 51-10 win over Newcastle in 2008.
The victory was only marred by a red card when substitute Warriors prop Ryan Bower shoulder- charged Bristol centre Will Hurrell in the head at a ruck.
Worcester have new owners and new hope. Most observers had the Warriors as favourites for the drop this year, but a second win of the season moves them to seventh in a tightly packed Premiership mid-table — on this form they will secure safety with ease.
‘We were clinical, but there is a long way to go,’ Alan Solomons, Worcester’s director of rugby, said. ‘it is a marathon not a sprint.’
This match was over as a contest by half-time. Worcester went behind inside three minutes, when Yann Thomas ran in unopposed and ian Madigan converted, but as Bristol capitulated Worcester capitalised.
A bonus point was in the bag by the break; tries from GJ van Velze, Ryan Mills — excellent again — Marco Mama and an intercept from Francois Venter gave them a 31-7 lead.
Chris Pennell, Josh Adams, another intercept, and Bryce Heem then scored to complete the rout in the second half. Duncan Weir kicked all of his goals — ending with 14 points — and Pennell kicked a penalty.
Bristol were totally outclassed. Their scrum backpedalled, thanks to fine work from Worcester tighthead Nick Schonert — who is pushing for an england cap — their passing was sloppy and star men were absent.
Test players George Smith, Luke Morahan and Madigan were all hooked by coach Pat Lam after just 48 minutes.
Lam said: ‘ We are disappointed and embarrassed. it’s a tough day but you take your medicine and move on.’
With one-third of the season almost up, this result will not just make Bristol sweat — Sale, Newcastle and Northampton will all start feeling the heat. Bath and Harlequins are by no means convincing either.
The league is a two-horse race at the top, so drama comes at the bottom. Who on earth is going down now?