Warriors close in on cup spot

Apr 26 2008 South Wales Echo

WORCESTER head coach Clive Griffiths hailed the “amazing turnaround” that has left his side within touching distance of Heineken Cup rugby after a four-try win over Newcastle booked the Warriors’ place in the European Challenge Cup final.

Sam Tuitupou (two), Marcel Garvey and replacement Tom Wood went over in a 31-16 win to set up a meeting with the winners of today’s semi-final between Sale and Bath.

And while Newcastle’s season is over, former Wales defence coach Griffiths – who works alongside Mike Ruddock at Sixways – was adamant the Warriors are coming to boil at just the right time.

He said: “It’s an amazing turnaround for us, after all the trials and tribulations we had earlier in the season, that we are now just 80 minutes away from a possible place in the Heineken Cup.

“It was an awesome game and Newcastle are a good side when they move the ball.

“I think when we got the ball in the right areas we capitalised on it. Also, you’ve got to pay tribute to our defence as Newcastle moved the ball around well and we did well to keep them out.

“But when we had to spread the ball, we did that, and it is good to have several strings to our bow as it keeps the opposition thinking.”

After Tom May’s early drop goal for the Falcons it was one-way traffic for Worcester.

In the eighth minute Garvey touched down with a breakaway try after Dale Rasmussen’s huge hit on Jamie Noon.

And Garvey turned creator on 22 minutes with a perfectly-placed kick which allowed Tuitupou a simple score.

Newcastle upped the ante after the break, which was interrupted by a 10-minute floodlight failure, but despite Greg Rawlinson’s sin-binning they could not penetrate Worcester’s defence.

After going through several phases, replacement Wood bundled over with eight minutes remaining before Tuitupou grabbed his second latching onto Shane Drahm’s clever kick.

Brent Wilson did go over with seconds remaining after charging down Drahm’s kick.