Warriors Closing In On Promotion
After a crushing 81-13 win against Bristol, this side have now set up a Championship play-off semi-final clash with Bedford. Worcester Warriors now aim to continue their good form and win their final two matches to gain promotion back to the Aviva Premiership.
The side have looked strong all season, finishing top of the league, only losing once in the process. This didn't secure promotion though as the top eight teams challenge for promotion while the bottom four battle it out against relegation. Although the play-off format can provide tricky ties, Worcester look as though they are well up for the challenge and their form has been excellent.
The win against Bristol at the Sixways Stadium was one of pure class and intensity, which made a decent team look very average at best. The Warriors ran in nine tries compared to Bristol's one, which left them with their heaviest defeat in their history.
Young starlet Mile Benjamin grabbed two, while Greg Rawlinson also touched down in his 100th appearance for the Warriors. Rawlinson is leaving Sixways in the summer, so he put in an emotionally charged performance, which thrilled the Sixways crowd. The 32-year-old described the game as an 'emotional time' but also stated: "This kind of win shows the team's desire and intent to get back to the Premiership.
After such a successful season, Warriors fans may now worry that losing either the semi-final or final would be a disaster but it seems as though they are the team to beat. There only defeat came at home against the Cornish Pirates who also take up a semi-final place. People may be concerned that another defeat like this could ruin Worcester's promotion hopes but since this early defeat the team have looked faultless.
The Warriors are currently on a 14 match unbeaten run, with good wins coming against sides such as Birmingham-Solihull, London Welsh and Nottingham. Confidence seems to be growing every game and the Warriors now look like a side that will win most of their games.
This success has been a combination of good performances from the players and also managerial quality from Richard Hill. As already mentioned, young winger Benjamin is looking better and better and he has been inspirational this season. The Solihull speedster has scored a stunning 24 tries from 27 appearances, which has helped the Warriors immensely. Another star has been 23-year-old fly half Joe Carlisle. The youngster has always been tipped as a hot prospect and this season he has had the chance to show his talents. 201 points from the 29 games he has played in has made him a valuable member of the team. He is backed up by former England star Andy Goode who played 17 times for his country. Goode is one of the most prolific scorers in English rugby and his 341 points have also helped the Warriors.
No team can succeed though without a great leader and Richard Hill is certainly a man who looks like the real deal. Hill, 49, was appointed in 2010 after Mike Ruddock resigned following the clubs relegation from the Guinness Premiership. With only one defeat in the Championship for the Warriors, Hill has worked well to try and earn Worcester a rapid return to the Premiership. The former England scrum-half has previously coached at Bristol, Gloucester, Harlequins and Newport and his experience is paying off. After the win against Bristol, Hill declared that he wants to 'batter' Bedford in the semis.
He said: "We are going to go and try to batter the life out of them. The task of the team is to go down there and bruise Bedford and then win the game.
If Worcester do go on to gain promotion, they will once again have their work cut out to stay in the top flight but a team playing with confidence is always a good thing. Even when the Warriors were in the Premiership two years ago, they showed signs of a team that could hold their own and now with the bonus of a good leader and some big name players, they will be confident of making an impact in the Premiership.
Worcester's semi-final against Bedford Blues will take place on Sunday 1st May, a win in this one will get the fans singing again whilst dreaming of more games in the Aviva Premiership.
