Proud Solomons hails his muddy marvels
Mud-loving Warriors win the Stoop armwrestle
ALAN Solomons praised his Warriors' resilience and mental strength after winnng an arm-wrestle in a Stoop quagmire.
The director of rugby saluted his men’s tremendous desire and determination to tame the conditions and their opponents.
It could be a crucial win on the road for Worcester as they attempt to climb the table and defy the critics who predict they will, again, struggle at the wrong end of the table.
Full-back Jamie Shillcock recovered from an early blunder which cost his side a try to take the plaudits from his teammates with a superb finish in the left hand corner – a score which ultimately won Warriors the spoils of a physical war.
“To come here in this kind of weather and be 143 down and come back and win was exceptional,” Solomons enthused.
“Errors were a major factor. We knew the weather would be coming in and that we had to handle the wet pitch and ball.”
He had special words for Shillcock and No.10 Jono Lance, who kicked 14 points.
“Jamie’s had to force his way into the team because there is fierce competition for the No.15 jersey. Aerially it was one of the best full-back performances I’ve seen.
“Jono kicked unbelievably well. His conversion from the sideline was outstanding.”
The rain struck an hour before kick-off and didn’t ease up for the 80 minutes.
Quins managed to claw a 14-9 half-time lead but it was the visitors who dominated the possession and territory for the majority of it.
Lance kicked Warriors into an early lead after Will Evans was penalised at a ruck but the response from the London club was instant and impressive. Alex Dombrandt showed his England potential with a charging run for the opening try, taking James Chisholm’s short pass and charging through.
Smith converted and did the same again when Shillcock paid the price for spilling a high ball. It bounced into the path of James Chisholm and the Quins captain happily kicked through and dived on it for the second try.
Warriors were repelled by some determined tackling from the hosts who had to soak up plenty of pressure.
All they could muster were two more penalties from Lance’s boot as Quins tried every way possible to stop their rivals breaking through.
Warriors’ new signing Ed Fidow was close to his first try but he was foiled in a race to the ball by Ross.
Sam Lewis was penalised for a late and high hit on Will Evans but Smith’s kick dropped short of the target.
Warriors rolled up their sleeves and their forwards camped on the Quins line until they finally found a way around the defence.
After hitting the Quins’ defensive brickwall several times they worked the ball wide right into the hands of Shillcock, and the full-back atoned for his earlier handling error by forcing his way over in the corner. Lance converted from the touch line in the driving rain.
Warriors defied any hopes Quins had of a late fightback with their forwards playing keep ball and drawing a final penalty which Lance nailed with his usual aplomb.