Crichton’s late score salvages bonus point for Ruddock's men

6:36pm Sunday 30th December 2007

LOKI Crichton's late try and conversion grabbed a losing bonus point as Worcester Warriors hauled themselves off the foot of the Guinness Premiership table with a disappointing 10-7 home defeat to Harlequins.

Quins went into the match without a win in seven games in all competitions since Wor-cester edged past them 23-22 at the Stoop in the EDF Energy Cup back on November 3, but they played the better rugby and were well worth their victory.

After a bright start from Warriors, the visitors dominated possession and territory for long spells and the home side looked like they were going to get exactly what they deserved from the game - nothing.

However, director of rugby Mike Ruddock's tactical half-back switch to replace the disappointing Matt Powell and Shane Drahm with youngster Jonny Arr and Loki Crichton after 69 minutes paid dividends as the Samoan crossed over with two minutes left to salvage a bonus point.

With Leeds losing to Sale, at least Warriors go into 2008 out of the relegation zone.

Thinus Delport started the game confidently with an assured touch-finding cross-field kick from the kick-off and soon followed it up with another huge boot down the line.

Quins' early line-out looked confused, allowing Craig Gillies a simple steal of possession. The ball was set up after a strong Aleki Lutui drive and Powell's poor pass was punted downfield by Drahm. Rico Gear retained possession, but was run into touch and the visitors were able to clear their lines.

From a Quins' line-out inside the home 22' after nine minutes, the visitors enjoyed their first spell of real pressure, but some powerful defence by the hosts repelled the threat.

Fly-half Chris Malone tried to breach the Worcester defence with a grubber kick, but flanker Tom Wood, returning to the side after groin surgery, blocked the ball and launched a counter-attack. But Wood's good work was undone by another wayward Powell pass, which forced Drahm to knock-on.

An intelligent Malone cross-field kick then isolated Garvey, but the Worcester wing fielded the ball well and Drahm was able to clear the danger. It turned out to be Garvey's last contribution as he limped off to be replaced by Miles Benjamin.

Worcester continued to defend for their lives and a huge Pat Sanderson tackle smashed Quins back several metres, but they managed to recycle the ball and create an overlap, which allowed second-row Chris Robshaw to dive over for the opening score.

A Lutui line-out throw went embarrassingly off target, giving Quins a scrum on the Worcester 10-metre line. The home front row brought the scrum down and, from the free-kick, Quins went on the attack again.

They were held up on the Worcester 22', but visiting hooker Gary Botha popped up at the ruck to charge over for his side's second try. Malone was off target again, though.

Despite the double setback, Warriors showed plenty of character to keep battling and a well-worked line-out move through Greg Rawlinson and Lutui took them deep into Harlequins' territory. They continued to apply pressure through the forwards, but it came to nothing as Quins pounced on Powell and managed to rob him.

Quins should have extended their lead to 13-0 in the 28th minute but Malone sliced his straight-forward penalty well wide after the hosts had strayed off-side.

The half ended in disappointing fashion as Worcester launched an attack through Benjamin's endeavours, but the Quins' forwards managed to turn the ball over.

Powell began the second-half looking determined to make amends for a poor first-half and soon forced a knock-on at the base of a scrum from his opposite number Andy Gomarsall.

After Worcester conceded their second penalty for collapsing the scrum, Ruddock opted to take prop Matt Mullan out of the firing line and replace him with the experienced Darren Morris.

Quins were penalised for hands in the ruck, which allowed Drahm to kick to the half-way line and the next time the fly-half received the ball he put the visitors under pressure with a fine kick to touch.

From the line-out, Quins knocked-on and Worcester actually managed to work the ball quickly along their back line to the on-rushing Gear. However, the incessant rain had made the ball slippery and the flying Kiwi dropped it forwards.

An excellent take of the high ball by Delport launched a rare Worcester attack and Wood found Rasmussen, who fed Gear. The All Black's turn of pace wasn't enough to get away from Quins' left wing Ugo Monye, who tackled his man into touch.

In the 69th minute, Ruddock opted to switch his half-backs with Arr replacing Powell and Crichton coming on for Drahm at 10.

Soon after, to howls of anguish from the crowd, Arr took a quick tap-penalty in goal-kicking range, when a three-point score would have set Worcester up for the losing bonus point.

However, the jeers turned to cheers as the teenage scrum-half ran and set up fellow replacement Gavin Quinnell for the drive. Arr then recycled the ball back to Crichton, who cleverly chipped into space, burst through and touched down for the try.

The Samoan stand-off added the conversion as the Warriors sealed a valuable bonus point.

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