It took a double take from this spectator as Worcester ran out on to the pitch. Momentarily I thought the Sky Blues of Coventry City had inadvertently travelled to Bath instead of their near neighbours Worcester Warriors. For the first 20 minutes they played more like a football team than a rugby team. Niggling, moaning, spoiling play, constantly being penalised and two players sin-binned. Firstly Thinus Delport was ushered to the sidelines for a high tackle and then Chris Horsman followed for a bit of shenanigans in the scrum. This hasn't been the style I've noticed when watching them on TV, they've played a more expansive game: perhaps it was a specific plan to unsettle a generally inexperienced Bath side and, to be fair to them, it worked.

Despite having most possession in the first half, Bath had to be content with two converted penalties from Chris Malone. However the young backs looked fiery in the early stages of the match, as though determined to show the crowd that they wouldn't play in the static style of which their more illustrious(sic) counterparts have been guilty all season. I was particularly impressed with Ryan Davis who reminded me of a young Mike Catt: determined to make something happen every time he got the ball.

Bath tried to move the ball whenever possible but Worcester managed to slow the game and halt any home side progress - I've never seen so many stoppages and God knows what the penalty count was at the end. Matt Perry ran out of defence with a pace I haven't seen for some time. Zac Fea'unati made a lovely run up the side-line only to be stopped just short of the Worcester goal-line and in the second half James Scaysbrook made the run of the match. He picked the ball up on his own twenty-two and dashed a full 60 metres before being hunted down by the visiting defenders. As he was getting caught you could see the young Bath forward running through treacle, desperate for some young hare in the backs to be on his shoulder. But no one was there, shame, it would have set up a brilliant score. Scaysbrook played very well throughout the game and was my Man of the Match. The coaches have said he has made great steps forward in his game and this is becoming more evident each week. His style reminds me of a cross between John Hall and Andy Robinson, demonstrating speed, strength and agility: let's hope he comes in to his own at Twickenham in a few weeks time.

Bath appeared to lose focus for the last 15 minutes of the first half and the majority of the second half and it was no surprise that Worcester took the lead after being awarded a penalty try half way through the second half. Bath were struggling with the Worcester scrum, which was camped on the home side try-line but I'm not convinced referee Rose was right to award a try. The visitors had played rough throughout the match, using spoiling tactics to disrupt things with minimal punishment yet when Bath were penalised it was with the ultimate sanction - a try.

However this young Bath team wouldn't lie down and somehow fought back with penalties and a drop goal from Malone. However it wasn't these scores which won the match for Bath it was their goal-line defending right at the end as Worcester were awarded late penalties in front of the Bath posts but they were repelled by terrific tackling.

This was a great victory for an inexperienced Bath side against a strong Worcester team who did everything in their power to win. On this display I'm confident the new-boys will stay in the Premiership - I certainly hope they do.

Finally I must mention David Flatman. Having been out all season he is clearly not match fit, yet ran his legs off today, he could hardly move as he trudged off right at the end to be replaced by debutant Hugh Perrett. Well done Flats, we appreciate your efforts today.

After enjoying a spat with Bath supporters on the ERE Messageboard this week it was good to see last week's ref at Kingsholm, Ashley Rowden, enjoying himself on the sidelines. Love him or not, you've got to admire someone who clearly enjoys his job. I wish I spent the day smiling at work as Ashley does!

Bath (6)18-10(3) Worcester Pen Try Pens: Malone 5 Cons: Hayes Drops: Malone Pens: Hayes

Bath: Perry, A. Williams, Cheeseman, Davis, Booth, Malone, Walshe, Flatman, Humphreys, Loader, Hudson, Fidler, Lewis, Scaysbrook, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Mears, Barnes, Delve, Smith, Pez, Wood, Perrett.

Worcester: Delport, Pieters, Rasmussen, Lombard, Hinshelwood, Hayes, Powell, Windo, van Niekerk, Horsman, Collier, Gillies, Hickey, Sanderson, MacLeod-Henderson.
Replacements: Fortey, Murphy, Daly, Vaili, Cole, Trueman, O'Leary.

Referee: D Rose

Zurich Premiership March 12, 2005 P W D L BP PTS 1  Leicester 18 13 3 2 8 66 2  Wasps 17 11 1 5 8 54 3  Sale 17 11 0 6 6 50 4  Bath 18 9 2 7 5 45 5  Gloucester 18 9 1 8 4 42 6  Saracens 17 8 2 7 4 40 7  Newcastle 17 8 2 7 4 40 8  London Irish 18 7 0 11 5 33 9  Worcester 18 7 0 11 5 33 10  Northampton 18 6 0 12 7 31 11  Harlequins 17 5 1 11 8 30 12  Leeds 17 5 0 12 6 26

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Bath Poll