Worcester defeat Quins to confirm Exiles relegation
Worcester .......... 44pts Tries: Heem 8, Willison 21, Barry 28, Te’o 33, Hougaard 46, Shillcock 46, Willison 79 Conversions: Jones 2, Shillcock 67, 80 Penalties: Jones 27 Harlequins .......... 13pts Tries: Walker 17 Conversions: Smith 18 Penalties: Smit
SIXWAYS was en fete yesterday with the Warriors banishing any mathematical threats of relegation with a vibrant performance which served as a fitting send off for Donncha O’Callaghan on his retirement from all rugby.
O’Callaghan appreciated a standing ovation from the crowd which included 23 members of his family and he also doffed a cap to the way in which Quins – outplayed on the day – honoured him before and after the match but above all he was delighted with a high quality Warriors performance that augers well for next season
Going into the game there was still that nagging thought that Warriors needed one point to banish any chance, no matter how remote, of relegation but they dismissed any such notion in just over half hour with four tries in an unstoppable burst of attacking rugby.
With the bonus point safely garnered and Quins battered into submission the party could begin.
The try-scoring started after Dorian Jones and Marcus Smith had swapped penalties with a nicely taken effort from Bryce Heem who demonstrated good feet as he stepped inside after latching onto Francois Hougaard’s long pass.
Quins, initially looked lively themselves, and hit back with a smartly-taken try from Charlie Walker who tracked Danny Care on one of his trademark quickly-taken tapped penalties. Smith converted and briefly the visitors found themselves in the lead.
Worcester though weren’t to be derailed and hit back with a barrage of three tries in 12 minutes. In fact it could have been more because they argued for a penalty try when Danny Care was yellow carded for a tackle on Hougaard after the scrumhalf had kicked ahead dangerously.
That wasn’t to be but Warriors retained focus impressively.
First Jackson Willison crossed after a nice off-load by Marco Mama, then big lock Darren Barry crashed over for a third as Warrios took control.
The bonus duly arrived when Ben Te’o roared over after slick handling down the line.
At 25-13 going into the tunnel the game still had to be won. A quick Quins try after the break and they would have been right back in contention, but Warriors displayed an intensity that will have encouraged coach Alan Solomons.
The outstanding Hougaard arrowed over for a fifth try which sealed Quins fate and Worcester maintained their tempo to score two further tries with one for replacement flyhalf Jamie Shillcok and a second for Wallison.
Afterwards the crowd mingled with O’Callaghan and a tribute video was put on the big screen but a word also for two other departing Worcester men who have done a fine job behind the scenes – coach Carl Hogg and backs coach Sam Vesty.
Worcester can now raise their expectations above avoiding relegation. They can begin to really challenge. And they only have to look at Newcastle to see how quickly that transformation can be made.