Bristol v Worcester (Sat)

[getofmeland]

<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Bristol v Worcester</div> <div align="center">

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GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
Venue: Memorial Ground Date: Saturday, 3 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Hereford & Worcester 104, 104.4 and 104.6 FM and on Radio Bristol 1548 AM

Bristol head coach Richard Hill will give departing players Sam Cox, Rob Higgitt, Jason Strange and Dave Hilton a final run-out against Worcester.

The game is Bristol's last match for two years at the Memorial Stadium as the ground is due to be redeveloped.

Rising stars Joe Carlisle and James Collins will start for Worcester, with Shane Drahm and Warriors skipper Pat Sanderson dropping to the bench.

Worcester number eight Drew Hickey has been named as captain for the day.

Bristol head coach Richard Hill told BBC Radio Bristol that he was happy to allow his experienced players a final appearance at the Memorial Stadium.

"I think it's a fitting tribute to those who have given a huge amount to the club," he said.

"I think it's only right that the supporters have an opportunity to send these players away and thank them for what they've done, and likewise the players to go and out perform well to thank the supporters."

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester that 20-year-old fly-half Carlisle had earned his chance.

"He's got a touch of confidence about him, but I wouldn't call it arrogance, and I like that," said Ruddock.

"He seems to be quite comfortable with what he's about as a player and that augurs well for his display."

Bristol: L Arscott; Robinson, Higgitt, Cox, Lemi; Strange, Perry (capt); Hilton, Regan, Crompton; Sambucetti, Budgett, To'oala, Grieve, Ward-Smith.
Replacements: Linklater, Bracken, Hohneck, Pennycook, Beveridge, Barnes, Brew.

Worcester: Pennell; Benjamin, Gear, Tuitupou, Garvey; Carlisle, Powell; Windo, Mullan, Taumoepeau, Bowley, Gillies, Wood, Collins, Hickey (capt).
Replacements: Horsman, Fortey, Rawlinson, Talei, Powell, Drahm, Delport.

From BBC Sport

 

[getofmeland]

Bristol 21-22 Worcester
Bristol (12) 21
Pens: Strange 7
Worcester (12) 22
Try: Benjamin, Tuitupou, Gear Cons: Carlisle, Drahm Pens: Drahm

A 70th-minute penalty from Worcester's Shane Drahm ensured a fine kicking display from Bristol's Jason Strange was in vain at the Memorial Stadium.

Tries from Miles Benjamin and Sam Tuitupou cancelled out four first-half penalties from fly-half Strange.

Strange added three more penalties after the break to give the home side a nine-point advantage.

But Rico Gear's 54th-minute converted try and Drahm's penalty secured the victory for the visitors.

Strange had an opportunity to clinch a dramatic victory for the visitors with the very last kick of the game, but his 15m drop-goal attempt was charged down by the Warriors defence.

The defeat was a disappointing result for the 9,000 fans, who had packed the Memorial Stadium for Bristol's last home match before a temporary two-year move to Newport's Rodney Gardens while the ground undergoes development.

Warriors coach Mike Ruddock gave 20-year-old Joe Carlisle his debut and the fly-half had a hand in winger Benjamin's fourth-minute try.

However, Strange punished Worcester's indiscipline and the visitors had former All Black centre Tuitupou to thank for keeping the scores level at 12-12 at half-time.

Worcester found themselves down to 14 men on 50 minutes when Benjamin was sin-binned for preventing the ball from being released, with Strange adding three points from the resulting penalty.

But the yellow card galvanised Worcester - and a slick move saw Gear touch down in the corner, with replacement Drahm adding the extras from the touchline.

Crucially, Strange missed his first kick of the game - and Drahm ensured the result went in Worcester's favour with his match-winning penalty from wide on the left.

Bristol: L Arscott; Robinson, Higgitt, Cox, Lemi; Strange, Perry (capt); Hilton, Regan, Crompton; Sambucetti, Budgett, To'oala, Grieve, Ward-Smith.
Replacements: Linklater, Bracken, Hohneck, Pennycook, Beveridge, Barnes, Brew.

Worcester: Pennell; Benjamin, Gear, Tuitupou, Garvey; Carlisle, Powell; Windo, Mullan, Taumoepeau, Bowley, Gillies, Wood, Collins, Hickey (capt).
Replacements: Horsman, Fortey, Rawlinson, Talei, Powell, Drahm, Delport.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Worcester could be a very good team next year...