Skivington delight as Hastings runs show
GEORGE Skivington was full of praise for Adam Hastings after the fly-half produced a calm, clinical display in Gloucester’s confidence-lifting victory at Sixways.
Hastings showed just why he has become such an important part of the Scotland team’s revival in recent times as he kicked supremely from hand and off the floor to help the Cherry and Whites celebrate their first win of the Premiership campaign.
Hastings, 24, who arrived from Glasgow Warriors this summer, sent over 16 points in difficult rain-drenched conditions but, equally importantly, was involved in most of his side’s most dangerous attacking moves in a game which really exploded into life only in the final 20 minutes.
Worcester slumped to their second successive defeat and lost co-captain and England flanker Ted Hill to a red card for a late tip-tackle on Lloyd Evans. But Warriors hopes of a fightback had already vanished by then.
Head coach Skivington enthused: “Adam showed what an outstanding player he is today. He’s a talented lad and he gave us plenty of control out there. The first half was difficult for both sides in the rain but he looked very comfortable with ball in hand or on the ground.”
Hastings kicked the Cherry and Whites into a 6-0 lead when Warriors’ defence used illegal means at two rucks to stop the Gloucester attack. His second penalty deflecting over off one of the posts as the constant drizzle made life difficult on the artificial surface.
Owen Williams finally put the home side on the board with a penalty after a bunch of players were involved in a minor brawl by the touch line.
However, Hastings’ swiftly responded with two more of his own to stretch the lead to 12-3 at break.
The kicking duel continued in the second half with the two No.10s trading further blows. Williams, however, was soon being helped off the field after his next penalty flew wide and he pulled up with a suspected groin injury. The fly-half ’s foot seemed to slip while making contact with the ball.
Billy Searle, Williams’ replacement, immediately sent another penalty through the posts to leave Warriors just three points adrift. But the game changed in complexion when Gloucester’s forwards finally got some dominance.
An impressive driving maul pushed Worcester back and their desperate defence finished with Searle being sent to the sin bin for killing the ball just ten minutes after taking the field.
Gloucester were on the march and another powerful driving maul saw them surge across the line and Morgan score.
Hastings continued his impressive kicking display by sending a difficult touch line conversion through the posts.
Jonny May was deeply involved in a quick second try which gave Gloucester breathing space.
He jumped and caught a fine Hastings’ cross-field kick on the right wing, and had the speed of thought to off-load to the supporting full-back Jason Woodward who strolled over unchallenged.
Replacement second row Kyle Hatherell crashed over for Worcester’s first try with seven minutes remaining and Searle came back on the field to convert.
The hosts lost flanker Hill to his tip-tackle on Evans five minutes from the end which saw replacement Chris Harris cross for the visitors and flanker Sione Vailanu grab a consolation try for Warriors.