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Wanderers downed in Sixways struggle

Travis PerkinsSponsored by Travis Perkins

Chance taking was at a premium for the hosts after the break, a half that was in stark contrast to their domination of the first period.


The Wanderers kept the ball in hand well inside the opening few minutes and though the move eventually broke down, Greig Tonks opened the scoring with a routine three-pointer.


It was unfortunately a start of false promise and as the hosts started to enjoy some possession, a series of close range carries were paying dividends. Two penalties to touch were both mauled from the lineout, and eventually sent Craig Gillies and Johnny Arr under the posts in a three minute blitz.


The pressure stayed on, too, the Cavaliers grinding out hard yards inside the Wanderers 22 before Neil Best provided the final shove for the third try. Number four wasn't far behind either, the same formula of lineout maul followed by big runners finished off brutally by Ravai Fatiaki.


With half an hour played the Wanderers were already up against it but after getting a feel for the ball again they started to find their rhythm of the first few minutes. Their lineout produced quick ball and within moments Jon Clarke was powering his way over in the left corner. The wide conversion went narrowly left from Tonks and meant the Wanderers remained in single figures until the break.


Worcester though would further add to their tally, Mike Penn on the end of the line for their fifth and while Gray missed a third conversion in a row, things were looking extremely good for the Cavaliers.


Again the game restarted with the Wanderers looking sharp and replacement prop Adam Parkins was causing havoc with a series of bullocking carries. JSA centre Tom Stephenson was also worrying the Cavaliers defence and it was to their relief that his foot was marginally dragged into touch as he grounded a sweeping move.


The let off was complete just seconds later, Worcester wing Tom Arscott scorching clear from 70 metres and showing enough gas to hold off the desperate chase of Alex Day.


Another counter gave Ben Howard the easiest of finishes, despite the Wanderers continuing to hold a majority of the second half territory. Eventually it told and with the ball staying in hand, Vasily Artemyev provided a typically clinical finish to a flowing move.


Worcester maintained their impressive chance conversion ratio in the 64th minute though, Howard making it a brace on the opposite wing to his first and when they got some territory of their own. Charlie Hayter rounded off proceedings by latching onto a smart grubber through.


The runout will nevertheless prove vital game time for the Wanderers as they ramp up their prearations for an Aviva 'A' League semi-final with Harlequins. VVA-Podmoskovye visit the Gardens on Saturday afternoon for 2pm kick-off. Entry is free to all Season Ticket Holders and Associate Members.


TIMELINE

3mins WAND Pen Tonks 0-3

7mins WORCS Try Gillies Con Gray 7-3

10mins WORCS Try Arr Con Gray 14-3

22mins WORCS Try Best 19-3

27mins WORCS Try Fatiaki 24-3

38mins WAND Try Clarke 24-8

40mins WORCS Try Penn 29-8

HALF-TIME WORCS 29 WAND 8

52mins WORCS Try Arscott 34-8

61mins WORCS Try Howard Con Carlisle 41-8

68mins WAND Try Artemyev 41-13

71mins WORCS Try Howard 46-13

80mins WORCS Try Hayter Cn Carlisle 53-13

FULL-TIME WORCS 53 WAND 13

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