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Hell in deepest Worcestershire
By Leipziger
November 22 2008
Worcester completed a hat-trick of home wins over our Falcons last night, in a game that probably won't long be remembered by those in attendance, particularly the away fans. Although the scoreline might not have been as heavy as those at Sixways last season, we once again never looked likely to win.

Some of you may know that Bristol is my least favourite Premiership ground, it's hard to get to, even harder to get away from unless you “know somebody” (who is driving by a station), it's dank and we tend to get hammered.


But Worcester has to be right up there now, after April's pulaver, last night I rolled into Worcester 40 minutes late, though got to the ground easily enough. The game, as I've said wasn't very memorable from a Falcon's point of view.


The first half was dominated by the boot with Worcester 9-3 up at half time. I'm not sure how but I forgot the third penalty and with the scoreboard invisible to those with bad eyes, I had the score wrong for a lot of the game.


The best attack we had in the first period came when Steve Jones made a long run from our 22 into Worcester's half, and from a penalty which was kicked to the corner we came right but eventually knocked on as the Warriors put up aggressive defence.


Rory Clegg's off-night with hands and boot meant we had a difficult time putting fluid attacks together, although John Rudd and Danny Williams both made metres as we kicked more sparingly than usual.


Williams in particular had his best game for us I think, he looked sharp and dangerous, even scoring our only try in the last minute. His only blott was falling asleep as a high kick headed his way, but he recovered and dived forward to catch the ball.


Unfortunately by then Chris Latham and Sam Tuitupou had both scored, sealing Worcester's victory. Latham was injured in the most exciting moments of the second half for us, replacement Tom Dillon breaking from the 22 and then kicking and hacking forward to the line, chasing with Latham but unfortunately he couldn't control and knocked on, but the Wallaby was forced to go off to be replaced with All Black Rico Gear.


At least we had forced a Worcester scrum in their 22? No, the referee had actually brought the play back to our 22, so all that excitement had been for nothing. Within a minute Tuitupou's score put us out of the hunt. Williams' late score did nothing with us nowhere near a losing bonus point.


So that's the game done with in a disorganised manner, but I was pretty tired last night. I legged it for a bus, and one finally came about twenty past ten, and I arrived at Foregate Street station six minutes before the 22.44 last train to London was supposed to leave.


It eventually left half an hour later, having at one point disappeared from the screen, and then stopped for ages at Evesham. Finally got back to London at 1.40am, and got on a bus to Trafalgar Square.


From there, I got the first bus going near my place, and tried to get off to get a one going closer but it had left on a different route. Not a problem, until somewhere near Victoria, some ticket inspectors got on, and decided to bring a couple of lads downstairs and hold them until the police came, as they reckoned one of the lads had stolen an Oyster card.


I finally got home with a huge headache at 3.10am, 22 hours after I left for work yesterday morning. But it's not all bad, the Falcons may not have won or threatened to win last night, but there was much more aggression and enthusiasm than against London Irish, and the lineout was much much better.


And Bristol lost, which is good, but we could still really use a result against Wasps next week.

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Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: FalconsRugby.org.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:14

Hell in deepest Worcestershire

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TouchLine (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:19

Leipy, you're a bl00dy hero. The Falcons' performances don't deserve supporters like you.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:20

A remarkably positive story Leipy, apart from the journey home that is.

Do you think there was a glimour of hope in what you saw last night or have you taken a bottle of happy pills to sort the headache?

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:21

Hear hear.

Or maybe just barking mad?

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Leipziger (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:33

"Barking mad"? Well, maybe we're all a little mad. I know I am.

Compared to Irish, last night was a huge improvement in terms of the players' attitudes and application, but we had little in attack and only two or three times threatened to score a try. Like Irish, Worcester didn't need to be great to beat us. Yes, we could have won if Clegg's kicking had been on form, but we shouldn't be relying on a teenager's foot. And the fact is the table shows we got no points from the game.

I'm not sure how optimistic I am - perhaps it would be worse if we were playing well yet getting nothing, as at least now we can look back at Northampton and know that when we play well we can win. Problem is, how long does this go on? If we don't start playing or winning until April or May it'll be too late.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TouchLine (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:49

But we only beat Saints because at that stage of the season they didn't have a goal kicker and missed countless chances which Myler would have kicked.

It might not be too late as long as Bristol don't win either! They looked competent last night but never looked like cracking the Glaws defence apart from Lemi and Robinson who are both light years better than any wings we've got.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Leipziger (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 11:53

You could say we would have won last night if we'd had a kicker! Doesn't make any difference.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: losixxx (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 12:07

sorry but Clegg didnt miss that many points so you would have won if he'd kicked all your attemps on goal, 3 pens and the conversion making 22 points max..still a loss!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:22:14:58:30 by losixxx.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Scunny Rob (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 12:09

I've not seen as much of the Falcons this season as I have done in the past, but since when did Tom May become a fly half? He was in the 10 channel for a big chunk of the game, even moving Clegg out of the way one one occassion, undermiing Clegg's authority and leaving him out of the game. Its certainly not the reason you lost last night, but surely that shouldn't be happening?

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 13:13

Very good point about May. I didnt Think we were much better than against Irish - I just thought Worcester were not anywhere near as good as Irish.

Jones going off was a nightmare as he was looking good and agree about WIlliams - very good game IMO and improving each game. Brent Wilson didnt look himself - is he carrying a knock but fitter than the rest ?

Chris Latham's antics behind the posts were pretty poor IMO and shame such a good player does stuff like that - nowhere near the class of Mr Burke.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Leipziger (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 13:40

Ah that's what you were talking about Latham. I didn't notice that.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 13:51

Neither did I at first - I commented on fans noise and waving during kicks and Wuss fans behind me pointed it out.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 13:53

Load of rubbish! There were no 'antics' behind the posts by Latham, other than pointing to one side or the other prior to the kick, but he put his hand down long before the run up started so that is a non starter, in any case one of the Falcons was doing the same thing on Wuss's penalties, even on the kicks for touch! I heard the Wuss fans shouting at Latham to indicate which way the ball would go as he stood behind the posts, and he was obviously reacting to their request - but it had no effect on the kicker! as he didn't do anything to spoil his concentration once they all settled down. I was surprised that a couple of times Clegg kicked for touch when the posts were within range though!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 13:58

I think its you that is talking rubbish as he done it every time and had all fans behind him doing it which encouraged noise, not saying an excuse he has to get used to it just wasnt sure if he'd experienced before but thinking again he did off the shed and pinged it over.

Wuss fans complain about the noise etc during kicks too so cant be just me as do other teams who go there.

Not saying it was loud boos like in france or SH but certainly not quiet.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Ronnie666 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 14:23

Latham does it every game, he shouts out what post he thinks the kicker will miss. But all of this is before the kick then starts waving at whichever way he has shouted, is there anyting illegal about it? No, however you have to question the sportsmanship.

By the aussies own admission Latham is by far the better player than Burke, he lost his 15 shirt to Latham and was forced to play at centre because LAtham was the better player.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 14:33

Nowt illegal at all - just not very sporting as you say

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2008 19:01

I've always considered Burke to be the better FB, even before he joined Falcons. Just my opinion of course, as you say the Ozzie selectors saw it differently a good few times.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TeflonTed (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 18:17

Fair review Leipziger, considering the score! As has already been said, you would not have won even if your kicker had taken every point he missed. Pretty ironic to see Loki getting a tricky one though, given his history.

Don't know where you were sitting, but there are two score boards, one a huge digital display behind the South posts, the other a somewhat more old fashioned affair in the NorthWest corner. If you couldn't see either I'd be on the way to specsavers personally.

Good luck for the rest of the season, I still think it's Brizz for the drop, my summer free beer and curry night partly depends on it (and yourselves being 11th!!)

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 19:36

In the matter of the kicks, at least once (if not twice) Cleggsy kicked to touch, even though the posts were within easy range, albeit a fairly narrow angle! Nothing Wilco wouldn't have sorted. Which would have put a draw or even a win on the cards.

I realise it is academic, but it does underline the strategic importance of an accurate kicker! (on form)

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Falconfan (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 20:16

Seems to me that Falcons and England are both missing a No 10 - I wonder who that could be!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 20:50

Clegg does not have anywhere near the range of Wilko, hence th reason why he turned down the kicks for posts I would suspect.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: lebigmac69 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 21:11

He nailed one from just inside their half, and missed at least one from about 30 yards out, although with a tough angle to contend with.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 22:05

They went for corners when we were too far behind to go for posts - his long range effort was top drawer. I though one that was not given went through too.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 22:27

He's a young lad thrown in at the deep end too soon, so you can hardly blame him for missing pressure kicks, but he should get the 30 yarders though.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TouchLine (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2008 23:25

So is Dan Biggar who's the back up to Hook at the Ospreys. He's 19 but got called up for Wales v Canada.

If you're good enough then you're old enough.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: citizen-slacker (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 09:54

IRB Laws & Regulations, Law 21.5 (c)

"If the kicker indicates to the referee the intent to kick at goal, the opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides from the time the kicker starts to approach the kick until the ball is kicked."


Pedants corner is open [:wor kid:]

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: lebigmac69 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 10:15

So Latham is a cheating Ozzy? He's not fit to lace Gods boots...

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: losixxx (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 10:40

Quote:
citizen-slacker
IRB Laws & Regulations, Law 21.5 (c)
"If the kicker indicates to the referee the intent to kick at goal, the opposing team must stand still with their hands by their sides from the time the kicker starts to approach the kick until the ball is kicked."


Pedants corner is open [:wor kid:]


errr thats exactly what chris does, his arm pointing is done before the kicker starts his approach! thus making it fully legal!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: There's 35 seconds to go (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 11:05

Surely the approach begins when the minute count starts? The approach is not just the "run up".

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: losixxx (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 12:22

nope the approach is when the kicker starts to move towards the ball (by which time Chris has stopped his pointing), this is also the time defending players can approach the kicker to charge down/put off the kicker.!!!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: lebigmac69 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 12:23

It may be fully legal, but it's not a very sporting gesture.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: There's 35 seconds to go (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 12:27

Let's see what happens the next time someone tries to charge down a penalty!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TouchLine (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 12:34

You're not allowed to charge penalties. If someone did the ref would allow it to be retaken.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Oxonian (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 12:36

Agreed, charging the kicker is part of the game. What latham was doing wasnt. A guy of his ability should be above that. You would never catch Mr. Burke doing anything like that.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 13:13

He may stop on approach but has fans doing it by then who dont

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: losixxx (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 13:22

Quote:
TouchLine
You're not allowed to charge penalties. If someone did the ref would allow it to be retaken.

so why do you frequently see opposing players running out from under the post's towards the kickers...? perhaps there getting cold and want to stay warm?

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Leipziger (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 13:33

You're probably thinking of conversions.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: TouchLine (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 13:35

You can charge conversions but not penalties.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Hooky (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 13:47

Perhaps what Latho does isn't within the realms of sportsmanship but then the Aussies did invent sledging!

As for the Falcons players being saints, there was several occasions when one player stood right in front of the kicker with his hand in the air like he wanted the bathroom!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 14:18

Yeah, I noticed that the Falcon player doing that, I mentioned it earlier, and he kept his arm up with his finger vertical until after the kick!

And in fairness to Wuss, their guy did stop before the run up, and put his arm down completely! I cannot speak for the Wuss fans as I was sat in the second row and they were mostly behind me, I did hear them ask the full back 'which post' which is why he did it, pandering to the fans really, I soppose!

Not very sporting I suppose, although if he stops prior to the run up, I cannot see that it has any effect on the kicker at all! Probably has more effect on the fans judging by the posts it generated!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: steve1888 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 15:18

J6/7 - yep they ask because he started it and now they are used to it so do everytime - thats what i was told by wuss fans. Also a kicker could be put off as he looks up and sees the majority of a stand doing it - which the south were.

NO illegal, same as booing etc its just a shame really.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2008 23:36

Well, yes, I totally disagree with anyone in the crowd attempting to distract the kicker - by shouting or by waving, it is very bad sportsmanship!

Mind you the amount of time some of the guys spend bending the refs ear these days make you wonder, in particular Martin Corry & Steve Borthwick - really abusing their position, Andy Goode was another bleater I reckon!

The All Blacks were at it too, especially McCall & thats when they were winning by a country mile - disgraceful!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: Wearsider (IP Logged)
Date: 25/11/2008 08:09

Or McCaw even



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:25:08:09:57 by Wearsider.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 25/11/2008 13:48

Er.. quite!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 25/11/2008 20:05

I'm surprised Bates hasn't blamed Latham for the defeat then, putting off our kicker, that's why he missed so many etc. etc.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: J6/7 (IP Logged)
Date: 26/11/2008 10:28

Hey mate, all your posts are so negative - why don't you get a life, why keep slagging everything about the club? it won't solve anything!

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: After Noon (IP Logged)
Date: 26/11/2008 11:01

Is it negativity or incredulity used as an antidote to the Blissfully happy Bates

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: DGNTR (IP Logged)
Date: 26/11/2008 22:07

J6/7, thanks for that.

Re: Hell in deepest Worcestershire
Posted by: After Noon (IP Logged)
Date: 27/11/2008 11:56

it'll be the cold conditions putting off our kicker this time well in Bates's world anyway

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