Bonus point keeps Warriors in contention

By GEORGE LAWRENCE

WORCESTER managed to earn a late bonus point against Oyonnax at a freezing Stade Charles-Mathon which could prove crucial in January as Warriors tackle Connacht and Brive for a place in the knockout stages.

This was Oyonnax’s first win of the campaign as they continue to languish at the bottom of Pool 5 while Worcester Warriors are second with 12 points.

Despite defeat replacement back Jamie Shillcock was pleased with Worcester’s effort on his first game back in the side following injury.

“Unbelievably tough to come out here with the conditions as they are but the boys put in a good shift.

“We worked hard for each other and were just a bit unlucky at the end but we did ourselves credit. “We’ve had similar weather in England and it’s always good fun in the snow although the boys were a bit cold. It’s a bit different to play in.”

Shillcock now has his sights set on a Premiership return on Friday night. He said: “It’s really nice to be back – it’s been a long ten weeks. Now I want to build my form and get into the team regularly.

“We’ve got a massive game against Irish coming up on Friday and hopefully the boys can get a win.”

Sam Olver and Julien Audy exchanged early penalties before a Joe Taufete’e yellow card allowed Vincent Lasmarrigues and Audy to cross the whitewash while Warriors were down to 14 men.

And an Audy penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts a healthy 20-3 lead.

Warriors soon bounced back with an Olver penalty before the fly-half converted his own try but Valentin Ursache immediately responded by crashing over from the restart.

Back rower Alafoti Faosiliva then showed tremendous power and pace to score and an Olver conversion had Warriors within seven points. But despite their efforts to try and recover a draw, Oyonnax had the last chance with a penalty but Anthony Fuertes’ kick dropped wide of the upright to leave Warriors with a point.

TEAMS

OYONNAX: Seuteni (Basson 52); Tian, Lasmarrigues, Veau, Giresse (Fucina 60); Fuertes, Audy (Hall 60); Vartanov (Laclayat 62), Elliot (Geledan 62), Mirtskhulava (Laclayat 68), Fabbri, Njewel, Kerry (Ursache 16, Barba 62), Taieb (c), Tauleigne

WORCESTER WARRIORS: Howard, Howe (Haupt 30-34), Pennell (Adams 59), Stelling, Humphreys (Shillcock 78), Olver, Dowsett (Baldwin 52); Bower (c) (Milasinovich 68), Taufete’e (Haupt 52), Kerrod (Alo 62), Phillips, Barry (Faosiliva 14-23), Taylor (Faosiliva 68), Durutalo (Williams 68), Denton

REFEREE: Vlad Iordachescu

ATTENDANCE: 3,500

Star man

Julien Audy – Oyonnax