Young Warriors claim Stourbridge victory

Worcester Warriors rising stars showcased their talents as they stormed to a 29-3 victory over Stourbridge in the first of the Double Header at Sixways.

Warriors selected a side crammed full of Academy talent for the pre-season local derby clash with Stourbridge, after original opponents London Irish were forced to pull out through injuries.

And the youngsters put on a thrilling show for those supporters who arrived early by running in five tries to the delight of Academy boss Andrew Stanley.


“The game was a good opportunity for us to have a look at the squad and the young lads really impressed us,” he said.


“Players like Graham Kitchener (17) and Robert Wood (18) did very well and Matt Mullan had an exceptional game. He led the side very well as captain.


“It was good to get the opportunity to play the game that was in doubt during the week and we have to thank Stourbridge for playing us and giving us a real test.”


Stourbridge had agreed to take the fixture on late in the week after the Exiles were forced to pull out and the visitors made an impressive start.


Fly half Chris Rowley slotted an early penalty to calm any nerves that Stourbridge might have before the home side struck after ten minutes.


A beautifully weighted cross field kick from Alex Grove found space behind the visitors and it was Craig Everett who reacted first to the loose ball to dive over. George Crook added the extras for a 7-3 lead.


Warriors were slowly cranking up the heat and putting the visitors under huge pressure by showing the ambition to run the ball from all over the pitch.


Rowley did miss the chance to cut the Warriors lead when he just pushed his penalty wide of the upright after 16 minutes.


Worcester edged further ahead after 19 minutes when a lightening break down the right cut the Stourbridge defence apart. The hard-working Everett made space down the flank and then looked inside to feed Miles Benjamin. The quickfire wing was ready to collect the ball and speed away when he was tugged back giving referee Doyle little choice but to award a penalty try. Crook added the simple conversion for a 14-3 lead.


The young Warriors side were playing with real intensity and showing some slick handling skills as they looked to break down a hard-working Stourbridge side keen to provide meaningful opposition.


Wing Uche Oduoza was proving a real handful for the visitors down the left wing and with Crook and Jonny Arr pulling the strings another score looked inevitable as half-time closed in.


Centre Grove made a piercing burst in midfield to create room and then full back Tom Wheatcroft collected the ball at pace as Warriors made real yards before just coming up short.


New signing Shaun Ruwers made his debut as he entered the fray at the half-time break and within seconds the home side were further ahead. The ball was spun down the right and Oduoza flicked the final pass out to Benjamin who used his power and pace to cruise past the last man and dive over.


The home side were now ominously going through the gears with Robert Wood instrumental as the ball was sent through a series of hands until the final pass just went astray as Worcester looked to strike again.


The Warriors forward power was now beginning to show and a sustained period on the Stourbridge line finally paid dividends when back row giant Everett crashed over from close range.


Warriors started to ring the changes and it was replacement Charlie Fellows who struck as the game entered the final ten minutes as he arched his run and brushed off the final tackle to slide over the line and complete the scoring.


Timeline
1m Rowley p 0-3
10m Everett t Crook c 7-3
19m penalty t Crook c 14-3
41m Benjamin t 19-3
56m Everett t 24-3
70m Fellows t 29-3


Team: 01 Callum Black, 02 Matt Mullan (Deacon 73), 03 Jack Gilding (Ruwers 40), 04 Robert Wood, 05 Graham Kitchener, 06 Matt Cox, 07 Liam Mullan (Page 57), 08 Craig Everett (Liam Mullan 71), 09 Jonny Arr (Runciman 60), 10 George Crook (Streather 70), 11 Uche Oduoza (Robinson 71), 12 Dom Feaunati, 13 Alex Grove (King 59), 14 Miles Benjamin (Fellows 58), 15 Tom Wheatcroft (Penn 40)


Replacements: Shaun Ruwers, Jordan Page, Haloti Molitika, Matt Deacon, Will Runciman, Andy Robinson, Greg King, Charlie Fellows, Tim Streather, Michael Penn


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