Worcester run riot after tight opening

■By STEVE JACKSON

Cambridge …….14pts

Tries: Caven 20, Qaniuci 22

Conversions: Mausia 21, 23

Worcester ……..61pts

Tries: Garside 25, 45, 58 Wallis 31, Tyas 47, Trewin 53, Eden 61, Kvesic 64, Anstee 69 Conversions: Reed 26, 32, 46, 48, 54, 59, 62, 65

WORCESTER Warriors took five points back to Sixways after scoring nine unanswered tries against a Cambridge side that were 14-nil up a quarter of the way through the game and promised much more than they ultimately delivered against their fully pro opponents.

The hosts shaded the first 20 minutes in terms of possession and aggression – and took the lead through Eli Caven, who popped through a gap following a winning line out to touch down.

Taitusi Qaniuci on debut ran in a second for the Blood & Sand two minutes later. Otu Mausia converted both, and Craig Newby’s side went toe-to-toe with Warriors all the way to half-time, despite tries from Jake Garside and Austin Wallis, with extras added by Will

Reed. Newby was proud of his side’s first half, saying: “We were awesome in that first 40 – we stuck to plan, we put them under pressure, we wanted to make them earn it, and earn some respect. We rattled them but they’re a powerful team and got their act together.

“We showed we can match up with the best teams, but we undid ourselves a bit in the second half and the weight of pressure told in the end.”

Tied at the start of that second half, it didn’t take too long for Warriors to edge ahead. Garside ran in his second of the afternoon. James Tyas brought up the bonus point. Will Trewin further stretched the lead before Garside scorched in for his hat-trick.

Chris Eden made it seven before a proper captain’s try from Matt Kvesic and Tim Anstee delivered the coup de grace with 10 minutes left precipitating Reed’s only unsuccessful tee shot of the afternoon.

Head Coach Matt Everard was pleased with the way his side dealt with the problems posed by the hosts.

He said: “We didn’t manage to get out of our half in the first period in a strong wind. I didn’t have to say too much at the break as the lads knew exactly what we had to do and managed it themselves. They came out in that half full of effort and fight.

“We’ve won away at Caldy in the 80th minute, we’ve won away at Nottingham in the 80th minute, both tough places to go. We know what we’re about.

“Matt Kvesic was awesome today – he ended up playing 25 minutes in the second row and really delivered a massive inspirational performance.”