Worcester lie top of their pool following a victory over a much changed Ospreys side. Dominating from the start the Warriors have now taken maximum points from their opening two pool games, but not without and ospreys fightback.
Robert Rees reports.
Worcester survive Ospreys fightback
Worcester came through their second pool game victorious as they defeated the Ospreys 27-21 . Tries from Jamie Shillcock, Wynand Olivier and Jack Singleton along with the boot of Jamie Shillcock sealed the victory as Worcester hold top spot in Pool Two.
The opening ten minutes were a nervy affair with lots of rugby being played in the middle quarter, slowed down by handling errors. There was no momentum for either side in good weather conditions at Sixways.
Fly half Jamie Shillcock got the scoring underway with a try out wide following a sublime break on the far wing. He converted his own try to give the hosts a seven-nil lead. The pressure was starting to mount from Worcester.
Telling once again when a strong set piece gave hooker turned flanker Matti Williams a chance to make a barnstorming break before setting up captain Wynand Olivier to double their lead. The third try of the first half came after a period of domination from the Ospreys.
However, it wasn’t to be scored by them, but the Warriors. A silly penalty given away by Ifan Phillips gifted Worcester a chance to clear their lines and use the resulting lineout as an opportunity to drive over the line and Jack Singleton setting up a commanding half time lead.
HALF-TIME | Worcester Warriors 21-0 Ospreys.
Fantastic first 40 from the boys! ? pic.twitter.com/At3T41m9Lg
— Worcester Warriors ⚔️ (@WorcsWarriors) October 20, 2018
Half time; Worcester Warriors 21-0 Ospreys
The second half was a different picture as Worcester survived an Ospreys fightback. 21 second half points from the visitors gave them a fighting hope as they dominated the majority of play throughout, only to be denied by Jamie Shillcock’s boot.
It wasn’t long before the Ospreys opened their account with a neat set piece play. Matthew Aubrey chipped over the defense, setting up Cory Allen for the first of his two tries.
The Warriors were reeling and Ospreys began settling into a rhythm. A second attacking lineout proving to be the beginning of some excellent phase work prior to a powerful Rob McCusker run that saw him barge over underneath the posts.
Worcester tried to stem the flow of points with a Jamie Shillcock penalty, but it was only going to keep the Ospreys out for so long.
Cory Allen making a breakaway for his second try and to make it a three point game late on. Breaking through in the centre of the field, he was superbly pushed out wide and forced to touchdown in the corner leaving a difficult kick. Cai Evans showed no fear and slotted it right down the middle for his second kick of the day.
The game ended how it was won, with Jamie Shillcock’s boot. The Warriors are now top of group two with nine out of a possible 10 points and will be relieved to have survived the late scare as the Ospreys fought back honourably.
FULL-TIME | Worcester Warriors 27-21 Ospreys
Keeping the train rolling! ? pic.twitter.com/Fi29nF3Bng
— Worcester Warriors ⚔️ (@WorcsWarriors) October 20, 2018
Full time; Worcester 27-21 Ospreys
Worcester survive Ospreys fightback
Worcester now top pool two following a strong performance against the Ospreys who remain in second on six points.
Elsewhere in the pool Pau have given Stade Francais their second consecutive defeat to climb to third.
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