EDF ENERGY CUP

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Quins ruin Worcester`s hopes

Sunday 02nd November 2008

Celebrations cut short: Pat Sanderson punches the air after scoring for Worcester

Worcester missed the chance to progress to the knock-out stages of the EDF Energy Cup by going down 27-14 to Harlequins in their final group game.

Harlequins were deserved winners as a poor performance by Worcester left them far too much to do in the second half.

The home side never looked like obtaining the four tries that they would have needed to threaten the qualification of the Ospreys.

Despite having no chance of progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition, Harlequins surprisingly chose to field a near first-choice side - missing only their England squad members plus Tom Guest, who was a late withdrawal.

The visitors were anxious to repeat last month's 30-23 Guinness Premiership win at Sixways and started much the stronger.

Harlequins dominated the opening exchanges and after 10 minutes scored the first try.

From a scrum five metres out Andy Gomarsall fed Jordan Turner-Hall, who set up the ruck from which Chris Robshaw was driven over. Chris Malone converted and four minutes later extended the lead with a penalty.

Worcester responded almost immediately with a try from Jake Abbott which Matthew Jones converted and then Harlequins were dealt a further blow after 20 minutes when Turner-Hall went off with a leg injury, to be replaced by De Wet Barry.

The revival in Worcester's fortunes was short-lived as Malone kicked another penalty after 24 minutes as his side continued to have all the territory and possession.

It came as no surprise when they went further ahead 34 minutes when from a metre scrum Malone and Seb Stegmann executed a pre-planned scissors movement for Stegmann to score which Malone converted.

Quins number eight Phil Davies became the second player from his team to be helped from the pitch just before half-time - and with Jones missing a penalty for Worcester the visitors led 20-7 at half-time.

Worcester were desperately poor in the first half, so influential captain Pat Sanderson was introduced immediately on the resumption to play his first match of the season.

It almost immediately paid dividends as he crashed over to finish off a strong-running burst from Sam Tuitupou, with Jones converting.

Nick Evans was introduced by Harlequins after 47 minutes but now it was the home side's turn to dominate, looking a vastly different team to the one who had performed with so little passion in the first half.

However, Harlequins defence held firm with Robshaw and Will Skinner outstanding.

With the last movement of the match, Tosh Masson intercepted and Harlequins broke away for Mike Brown to score - Evans converting to conclude the scoring.

The scorers:

For Worcester:
Tries: Abbott, Sanderson
Cons: Jones 2

For Harlequins:
Tries: Robshaw, Seb Stegmann, Masson
Cons: Malone 2, Evans
Pens: Malone 3

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham (c), 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Chris Pennell, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Jake Abbott, 6 Matt Cox, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Darren Morris, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Craig Gillies, 19 Pat Sanderson, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Loki Crichton, 22 Charlie Fellows.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Tosh Masson, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Seb Stegmann, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Tani Fuga, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 George Robson, 19 Neil McMillan, 20 Gareth Williams, 21 De Wet Barry, 22 Nick Evans.

Referee: Dean Richards (England)
Touch judges: Bob Mullis (England), Brian Robertson (England)
Assessor: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Television match official: Matt Peters (England