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Warriors win sets up group decider

Buy photos » Richard Muagututia forces his way through in Warriors' nine-try victory over Banca Monte Crociati. Picture by Ian Smith

Worcester Warriors 55 Banca Monte Crociati 10

Amlin Challenge Cup

WORCESTER Warriors set up a group decider against Stade Francais in Paris next week after easing past Banca Monte Crociati at Sixways on Saturday.

Knowing only a maximum point victory would do to keep their European ambitions alive after the French side secured an impressive victory over Bucharest Wolves, Richard Hill's side came storming out of the blocks. Errie Claassens' struck twice either side of Alex Grove and Andy Goode going over to seal the much-needed bonus point by half-time.

The onslaught continued in the second period with wingers Tom Arscott and Josh Drauniniu going over.

Crociati hit back with a penalty try before Warriors came back with three further tries from Ollie Hayes, Ben Gulliver and Miles Benjamin to complete the rout.

It didn't take long before Warriors hit the ground running. Good work from Goode and Richard Muagututia set up the attack before Drauniniu broke free and offloaded to Claassens to finish off. Goode added the extras to give his side a 7-0 lead within the opening two minutes.

Despite the early blow, the visitors nearly found a response but Jacopo Zucconi's penalty went wide.

Worcester still looked the better of the two sides in the opening stages with Arscott and Drauniniu looking a constant threat going forward.

The Italian side tried their best to hang on, but an error gifted Worcester their next try. Glove picked off a misplaced pass to race through and score, which Goode converted to double their advantage.

After surviving a scare following Drauniniu intercepted pass, the hosts put their third try on the board on the half hour mark with Goode going over from close range.

Now with a bonus point within their grasp, Warriors were determined to take it and did so two minutes before the interval. A charge down clearance fell kindly to Shaun Perry before the ball found Claassens who went over for his second and more importantly Worcester's forth to lead 26-0.

With the pressure now off, the hosts were in confident mood and moments later crossed the whitewash again. This time Arscott touched down after impressive work from number eight Muagututia to gain ground.

The Samoan was having a storming game as his 40 metre run sent his side on the attack before the ball found Drauniniu to go over and stretch Warriors' lead even further.

To not be completely rolled over, Crociati managed to hit back with a score, following good work from their pack to force a penalty try, which Zucconi converted.

Four minutes later though the home side responded in clinical fashion with replacement Hayes going over to go 43-7 in front.

A penalty from Zucconi cut back the deficit but that was to be their final score as Warriors kicked on, with another replacement, Gulliver, forcing his way over the try-line.

Benjamin then finished the afternoon off in style when he went over in the final five minutes.