By Zippy
January 19 2004

The Warriors lost 17 - 12 to the London Wasps in crucial clash at the Brewery Field, Bridgend. For match review and opinion read on I sat in my pre-match haunt PS at 6:50pm and watched the hoards of people march past to the Brewery Field, at that point I supped up and got to the ground.

It was madness, I couldn't find a programme seller and there was a huge queue to get in and only 10mins till off.

Anyway I fought onto the terrace and took the opportunity to admire the crowd, estimated at 10,000 it is the largest I have seen there.

Kick off was delayed by 10-15mins while every last possible vantage point was taken, bad news on the team announcement Cockbain was injured and back row man Nick Kelly was to be used as a makeshift 2nd row.

The Wasps team came out to a mixed reception, I personally clapped but several others jeered. It truly must of been intimidating for the English champions. Then out came the Warriors, fireworks went off at the right time (remember the Edinburgh game) and the crowd roared. If they weren't nervous beforehand they were now.

The Warriors were all over Wasps for the first few moments of the game, Sweeney missed an early penalty chance and the Wasps defence was not going to budge.
After 10 or so minutes Wasps broke into the Warriors half and after a few phases quick hands put the returning van Gisbergen over in the corner. A great try that helped settle the Wasps, King unlike Sweeney hit the spot with the kicks and the Wasps led 14-3 at the interval.

Discussions at half time were based around the fact that we were still in the game and 14-3 was not a fair reflection plus the fact that there was not a chance in hell it was my round again.

Jinks came out in the second half, Sweeney played ok but this was going to be a tight match where the kicks were going to be crucial. During the WC Jinks showed his kicking is as good as it ever has been and kept the Warriors in contention for the Celtic League. He wasn't going to let us down and his 3/3 100% accuracy and the way he got the backs moving emphasised this.

Horsman recently back from injury to get sin binned himself for a swinging arm, he had been on a matter of minutes. I was fuming with him as it was perhaps a turning point and halted the Warriors comeback. Dallagio was sin binned minutes later for a late tackle to even the numbers.

Wasps held out for a 17-12 victory, one victory a piece.

Warriors: 12
Pens: Sweeney, N Jenkins 3
Wasps: 17
Tries: Van Gisbergen
Pens: A King 4

Players of the match:
S Abbott: Defended like his life depended on it and showed he wants the England 12 jersey in the 6N.
J O'Connor: Has literally come from nowhere and he will probably be in the Irish team for the 6N, was everywhere.

Zippy's +/-:

Joel Dume - Its easy to blame the ref when you lose, i'm no bad loser. He did seem to penalise the Warriors far too easily at the ruck.

Warriors set piece - Nick Kelly was great in the loose but the way our scrum was shoved about and the lack of line out options starved us of good possession.

Rob Howley + Mixed reception from the crowd, had a mouthful from his mate Jinks when slowing down a penalty and took one hell of a hit from Parkes. Played well.

Facilities - Had to pee on a wall at half time, we don't want the ritz but basics are nice. The ground needs to be sectioned off, I have said before we have four stands therefore 4 separate tickets. Its not hard to do?

Passion + The boys couldn't have give any more, they made errors but gave it there all till the very end, to think the giant strides we have made in recent weeks. Over the two games we competed with the English champions and could have taken both games.
Crowd + I saw jerseys from Beddau, Llanharan, Merthyr and Porthcawl. The Warriors are now much more than 2 clubs.
The atmosphere was electric and intimidating, I loved it "Ole Ole Ole Ole WARRIORS WARRIORS!!"