New signing Andy Gomarsall saw Worcester battle their way to a narrow first
leg lead over Leeds in a close-fought European Shield semi-final clash at
Sixways.
Worcester, who swooped for the England scrum-half yesterday, threw the ball
about without any fear as they took time out from their Premiership relegation
battle.
Touchdowns from Thinus Delport (2), Jon Hylton, Paul Sampson and Gary Trueman,
plus a penalty try put the Warriors' noses in front.
But they were constantly pegged back by the brilliance of Tim Stimpson. The
full-back bagged 24 points for the Tykes with two tries, two penalties and four
conversions.
Stuart Hooper and Chris Bell went over for Leeds' other tries in an
entertaining encounter.
Both sides made numerous changes for this European clash as they made their
priorities obvious to all.
Worcester brought in wing Hylton for his first game of the campaign following
a cruciate ligament injury picked up in pre-season.
And the flyer soon made an impact as, after an early Stimpson penalty for the
visitors, he sped in on the right following a flowing move featuring fellow wing
Sampson.
It was former England man Sampson who had a hand in Worcester's second try
soon after as, after a handling error from Bell, the Warriors countered
superbly. Delport's chip ahead was collected by Sampson and, following a
30-metre burst, he put in the former Springbok for the second touchdown. Tommy
Hayes added the conversion and Worcester were in charge.
That Worcester's dominance did not last was down to some sloppy defence and
the assurance of Stimpson. The full-back slotted a 17th minute penalty to put
the Tykes back in it and, 10 minutes later, his clearance left Hylton and
Delport passing the ball around on their own five metre line before, somewhat
predictably, Leeds' forwards arrived to steal the ball and lock Hooper went
over.
Stimpson's conversion put the Tykes in front and, at half-time, they were
27-12 to the good following more tries from Bell and Stimpson plus another
couple of conversions.
Worcester came out with a bang in the second period and, within five minutes
of the re-start, had cut the gap to just a point.
First, referee Nigel Owen awarded the Warriors a penalty try after Diego
Albanese's deliberate knock-on, and then after sending the Argentinian to the
sin-bin, Delport flew in on the right as Worcester made the most of the extra
man.
Hayes added both conversions and the fly-half was on hand to make it a
second-half hat-trick soon after when, following nice work from Ben Hinshelwood
and replacement Duncan Roke, Sampson sneaked in on the left as Worcester
completed the comeback.
Hayes extended the lead with a penalty and Worcester continued to dominate
despite the uncontested scrums following Tony Windo's injury.
In this topsy-turvy game, however, nobody could ever feel secure and once
Stimpson broke through a powder-puff challenge by Sampson and converted his own
try, Leeds were back in it with 16 minutes left.
A last-minute converted try from Trueman, however, gave Worcester the
advantage going into the second leg at Headingley in two weeks' time.
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