Worcester Wild Ones win Droitwich Festival
Nov
Worcester Wild Ones continued their early season form, by winning the
annual Droitwich Tournament. Having got out of the pool stages, they
were drawn against old adversaries Droitwich, the current holders, in
the semi final. The game itself was a great advert for junior rugby,
played at a frantic pace, and intensity, and a considerable skill level.
Droitwich drew first blood , when almost from the kick off, the ball was
sped wide to their winger, who squeezed in at the corner. However, this
only spurred the Wild Ones, to attack with more vigour. Allthough there
was no further score in the first half, Worcester, stretched Droitwich
all over the pitch. The second half saw Worcester take control up front,
and forced Droitwich onto the back foot, and when a series of rucks
sucked in the Droitwich defence, Willem Stanley crossed the whitewash to
draw level. Worcester pressed forward from the kick off, and with
Droitwich trying to clear their line, Oli Paley Battersea, charged the
ball down, collected it, and touched down. Droitwich as you would expect
came back strongly, but a watertight defence held out to win the game.
Longlevens RFC from Gloucester were next up in the final. They were a
huge, physical side, whose forwards would not have been out of place
playing at senior level. Worcester had to play smart rugby, playing an
up tempo game, drawing the big Longlevens forwards around the park. At
every opportunity, the
ball was spread wide, and only last gasp tackles kept Worcester out. The
second half began, and players and supporters alike, were treated to a
fine second half of rugby. Longlevens opted for route one rugby, but the
Wild Ones defence was aggressive, and faultless. Eventually Worcester
were rewarded when a blind side move was rounded off by Sam Long, who
touched down in the corner. Rather than sit back and defend, Worcester
attacked wide whenever they could, and with the Longlevens team now
almost on their last legs, the Wild Ones closed out the win. Considering
the quality of the opposition played all day, this was a fine tournament
to win.
