TRUE WARRIORS
Worcester’s courage keeps them in top flight
THERE was something for everyone at Sixways yesterday: a win to keep Worcester in the Premiership, a bonus point to clinch Gloucester’s overdue return to the play-offs — and some Danny Cipriani magic to add the style.
The game culminated in scenes of euphoria as the home fans noisily celebrated Warriors’ survival.
For many months they have been stuck in the danger zone, but once their backs were against the wall, Alan Solomons’ side have responded emphatically — with a series of impressive results to climb away from trouble.
Their latest victory leaves Newcastle on the brink of relegation and Leicester down in 11th place, still not safe.
The Tigers face a tough trip to Harlequins on Friday night. If they lose, Newcastle will go to Kingsholm to face Gloucester with a glimmer of hope. But if Leicester win at Quins, the Falcons will be relegated. Yesterday, Worcester
had the look of a slick, tenacious and organised mid-table team — not one scrapping for their lives.
The point Gloucester claimed was also vital and the West Country club will now feature in the play- offs for the first time in eight years.
While Northampton still have a chance of overhauling them to finish third, Harlequins — also on 51 points — cannot pass them as well, so Johan Ackermann’s men are back where their passionate supporters will feel they belong.
Their reward for a season of powerful revival will be a daunting trip to either Exeter or Saracens — more likely the latter.
Worcester were 15-13 behind at the break, but they were playing with the intensity of desperate men. Duncan Weir landed two early penalties then scored a try after his pass sent Perry Humphreys storming clear on a midfield break.
In the second half, Francois Hougaard’s break into the 22 set the wheels in motion for Niall Annett to score from close range. And just before the hour, Weir’s long pass to the left flank was volleyed forward by Ethan Waller, with Darren Barry on hand to gather the ball and drive over.
Weir converted all three tries — and the Scottish playmaker kicked the ball out at the end to spark delirium.
Solomons singled out former Springbok scrum-half Hougaard, saying: ‘He was unbelievable. His defence was exceptional. He kept putting his body on the line.
‘The key for us was to get in the right emotional frame of mind. Once we’d done that, I thought we would win because we’ve got good players.
‘I felt it was important that we put it to bed here and the boys played really well.’
Gloucester were always in the hunt, with Henry Purdy scoring two tries — the second with 19 minutes remaining proving decisive in securing a losing bonus.
In between the wing’s double, Willi Heinz struck after a glorious interchange of midfield passing led by Cipriani and involving Billy Twelvetrees and fellow centre Mark Atkinson.
For the umpteenth time this season, Cipriani was a sublime attacking threat, demonstrating his class as a distributor in front of the watching Eddie Jones.
The fly-half’s latest masterclass might not be enough to convince the England head coach to recall him but it was further compelling proof that he remains a remarkable, Test-class act.
Ackermann was far from ecstatic about Gloucester’s achievement in guaranteeing a top-four finish, saying: ‘Everyone is saying we are into the play- offs so I’ll have to take their word for that.
‘We’ve still got two games left and we’ve got to be better than we were here.
‘If we really want to challenge the top teams, we have to start winning these games. But in the play- offs there are no bonus points, it’s all on the day. Anything can happen.’
Anything certainly can happen if Cipriani continues to pull the strings.