Manor Park 10 Worcester Wanderers 27

Following last week’s missed opportunity Worcester Wanderers travelled to Nuneaton to play bottom league team Manor Park and came away with a win.  With a number of 1st team players unavailable Wanderers showed their strength in depth and second team players performed well in the game, which was a real team effort.

The Worcester pack was soon under pressure from Manor Park, but the front row of Paul Drew, Dave Shaw and James Mitchell were good in the loose play as was flanker Simon Cook back from University to bolster the team.

As expected Wanderers back line dominated the game and their pressure soon earned them a penalty, which Scrum half Lee Watson, standing in as kicker in the absence of Joph Young slotted to take the lead.

This was followed by a series of tries the first by outside centre Matt Smith under the posts to give Watson an easy conversion to increase the lead to 10-0.

By now stand off Dan Sparrey was controlling the midfield and distributing the ball well.  His skills provided a sweet pass to inside centre Chris Jenkinson who set up winger Ryan Henshaw to cut a good angle off the wing, brush off three tackles and his strength taking him over to score the second Wanderers’ try near the posts and the Watson’s conversion raised the score to 17-0.

A Manor Park penalty made little difference as full back Mark Duffield went on a jinking run to go over wide to make it 24-3 following Watson’s conversion.  A further penalty by Watson made it 27-3 at half time.

Although there was plenty of good flowing rugby in the 2nd half the Wanderers did not add to their score and slightly complacent they allowed Manor Park over for a late converted try by to end the game with a fairly stylish win by Wanderers 27-10.

The win takes Wanderers into 2nd place and their promotion prospects were enhanced by Keresley losing 30-23 at 4th place Edwardians.

Next Saturday 5th March 2005 – Wanderers 1st play a Home friendly against Cheltenham North.

The following Saturday 12.03.05 they meet Evesham in the league at Sixways.

For those not travelling to Bath, come and support the Wanderers at Sixways

 Midlands 4 West (South) Results