Worcester Warriors 10 Newcastle Falcons 45
Worcester’s players incurred the wrath of Steve Diamond who condemned them as “pathetic and embarrassing” after slumping to a damaging defeat at Sixways.
Diamond, who only took over in charge of the team at the end of January, also threatened to stop them having a planned week off due to the nature of the loss to Newcastle Falcons who ran in six tries and savoured their first Premiership success in five months.
The former Sale boss, now Lead Rugby Consulsant at Warriors, refused to use the recent Covid and injury problems which have affected the squad and caused their last league game with Gloucester to be abandoned, and then fumed: “It was a wholly pathetic performance. It was inexcusable to perform as professionals like that. We didn’t raise ourselves to the challenge in any area of the game and Newcastle, who are a good, hard working side. They came and put us to bed… it was embarrassing!
“I feel for the Worcester support base. We were not at the races. We can make excuses that they were poorly during the week but we trained reasonably well over the last few days and there were no excuses for that.
“We were completely off centre. We didn’t compete in any area whatsoever. We couldn’t string two passes together or keep hold of the ball. Our penalty count was probably the lowest simply because we were never in the action. I put the onus on myself to get them back up now but I might change my mind about giving them the week off now.”
Diamond’s fury was in contrast to the joy and relief etched on the face of Dean Richards, Newcastle’s Director of Rugby who saw his team finally end a frustrating 11-match wait for a victory. And they did so in some style, inspired by fly-half Brett Connon who amassed 20 points including a try, plus prolific hooker George McGuigan who notched his 13th Premiership try of the campaign.
You had to go back to November 6 when Newcastle upset Exeter at Sandy Park to find their previous victory. Yet, there was certainly no sign of a lack of confidence or belief as they took an early lead against Warriors and never looked back. Worcester lost full-back Noah Heward to a head injury after an accidental clash with Newcaslte lock Sean Robinson.
It was all down hill for the hosts from then as McGuigan charged over for the opening try soon afterwards. Worcester responded with Oli Morris sending Hewards’ replacement, Perry Humphreys over for a try. But from then on Falcons opened their wings and flew away with things. The outstanding Connon broke through the Worcester defence and exchanged passes with No 8 Freddie Lockwood before waltzing over for a try.
Wing Adam Radwan crashed over from close range for another try as the visitors swept into a 21-5 half-time lead. It was the same story in the second half with Connon’s penalty followed by further tries from scrum-half Louis Schreuder for the bonus point, and then prop Trevor Davison, from close range.
Captain Ted Hill lifted Worcester spirits with a try but Newcastle continued to march forward and England hooker Jamie Blamire finished it off with the sixth try to complete Newcastle’s return to winning ways.
