Sarries held at Worcester

Walker kicks all Warriors' points once again

Last updated: 28th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sarries held at Worcester

Walker: four from four

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Unbeaten league leaders Saracens' eight-match winning streak came to an end at Worcester, as the Warriors battled their way to a 12-12 draw.

For the home side, it was a repeat of last weekend's scoreline at Sixways against Bath, but they will feel happier at matching the Premiership leaders.

Fly-half Willie Walker scored four penalties out of four for the hosts. He has scored all his team's points in the last three matches, but Worcester have failed to cross for a try in those games.

Worcester led 9-3 at the break thanks to Walker's accurate boot, although it was not the best 40 minutes of Premiership rugby.

Unlike his opposite number, Saracens fly-half Derick Hougaard missed a drop-goal plus two out of three penalties, although they were all long-range efforts.

The nearest either side got to a try was just before the interval when Saracens pressed in the home 22.

The pressure told as Worcester fumbled the ball backwards and over their own line but were rescued when flanker Tom Wood just got to touch down ahead of visiting back row Andy Saull.

Otherwise it was a case of fumbled possession and solid Worcester defence against a determined Saracens attacking outfit who had plenty of possession, some from the quality line-out throwing of hooker Schalk Brits and catching of lock Tom Ryder.

Pressure

Saracens soaked up 12 minutes of pressure following the break but once the visitors found their rhythm, they began to make Worcester pay for their errors, particularly at the ruck.

Time and again, referee Martin Fox penalised the home team for illegally holding onto the ball on the ground and Hougaard made no mistake each time as he turned over a six point deficit into a three point advantage by the hour mark.

At times tempers flared and, after the forwards came together on the home try-line, referee Fox called over both captains before awarding a clearing penalty to Worcester.

As the final 10 minutes arrived, Worcester were awarded another penalty when Saracens infringed at a scrum in their own 22 and Walker continued his faultless display with the boot.

Saracens looked to line up Hougaard for a winning drop-goal in the final minute, but Worcester's forwards produced a powerful scrum to take a strike against the head and Walker hoofed the ball into the stands to prompt the final whistle.