Ospreys rip up Warriors
Worcester's miserable start to the season got even worse as they were thumped 47-16 by the Ospreys at Sixways.
By Rob Lancaster
Last Updated: 27/10/07 9:24pm
Neath-Swansea Ospreys started their EDF Energy Cup campaign in fine style, scoring seven tries in a 47-16 mauling of Worcester.
Lee Byrne and Shane Williams both crossed twice as the visitors produced some scintillating running rugby at Sixways.
In contrast, the Warriors looked devoid of ideas going forward, too often relying on their pack to try and muscle through.
Their one and only try, scored by Craig Gillies, came courtesy of a clever crossfield kick from James Brown, although by then it was too late to salvage anything from another poor performance.
Sizeable lead
The game was as good as over by half time as the Ospreys, beaten finalists in the competition last year, opened up a sizeable lead in some style.
It was a surprise it took the Magners League outfit 11 minutes to score, Byrne finally breaking the deadlock, and some weak tackling, after the away side had dominated early on.
Worcester only had themselves to blame for conceding a second shortly after, losing the ball from a scrum deep in their own half that culminated with Nikki Walker galloping over.
Williams also benefited from some sloppy defending to grab his first, two tacklers failing to get a grasp on the nimble winger after he had been picked out by James Hook's precision high kick out wide.
Worcester's only reply in the opening half came through two Shane Drahm penalties, though they did liven up immediately after the break.
However, all they had to show for their improved efforts was another penalty which also saw visiting skipper Filo Tiatia sent to the sin-bin.
The Ospreys were not bothered by being a man light, though, Sonny Parker's close range finish extending their advantage.
Spark
Brown came off the bench to provide a much-needed attacking spark and it was his pin-point bomb to Gillies that got Worcester over the line at last.
At 28-16 the game was not over as acontest but the Ospreys clinically killed off their opponents with three tries in the closing stages.
Walker set up fellow winger Williams to complete his brace in the right corner before a clever move from a line-out left sub Mike Phillips with an easy run-in.
Fittingly, the outstanding Byrne completed the scoring by finishing off the move of the match that had started way back inside the Ospreys' own 22.
