Worcester go West
Rugby
Teddy Hall: 21
Worcester: 24
THE FIRST DIVISION RUGBY season kicked off last Tuesday with Teddy Hall, last term's Cuppers semi-finalists, facing off against Worcester at the Parks. In a close-fought game Worcester emerged narrow winners thanks to some inspired kicking from fly-half Adrian West.
On a hot, still day both sides struggled to overcome the heat and off-season rustiness. Worcester began nervously with some wayward kicking in the early stages. However they claimed an early try by creating an overlap against the Teddy Hall defence to allow winger Rob Wastell to crash in. With the conversion the score was 7-0, and Worcester rubbed more salt into the wounds by adding a sensational penalty in quick succession. No. 10 Adrian West put the ball over from his own halfway line, dead in front, to extend the lead to ten points.
However after this the home side withstood the Worcester pressure well, despite being pushed back into their own half. As the battle shifted to centre field and the gaps began to show in the Worcester defence. A fortuitous punt ahead by the Hall backs bounced just short of the line and Hall fresher Johnny Venter picked up the bounce to charge in from close.
Teddy Hall took renewed heart from this and took the game back to them after the kick-off. However Worcester put them under a period of pressure right on half-time, slotting over a smart penalty to leave the score at 13-7.
Worcester carried the game forward in the second half, stretching the defence out wide to allow fullback Drew Mcgregor to score in the corner. Despite missing the conversion, they looked to be pulling away with an 18-7 lead. However this sounded the bell for a Teddy Hall comeback. Strong running by the wingers, with Johnny Venter in particular making a number of telling half-breaks, allowed them to pin Worcester back in their half. This enabled them to force a second try, touching down in the far corner. Spirits were further lifted as Ross Wenzel's touchline conversion bounced off the crossbar and over for the extra two points.
From then on the match became a battle of the kickers as each side traded penalties. Hall regretted indisciplined play in their own half which was swiftly punished by the kicking of Adrian West. A pair of well-taken penalties from the ten-metre line meant that Worcester always kept their noses in front.
Teddy Hall managed to claw back some ground but were eventually disappointed to run out 21-24 losers. The League may only have just begun but Worcester have already laid out their challenge from the boot of West. While the Hall will go away disappointed, they will be heartened by the performance of some of their Freshers, in particular the dangerous running of try-scorer Venter.
7th Oct 1999