Hat-trick hero Captain Chris Latham
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:22
Worcester Warriors enjoyed a comprehensive 55-6 win over Italian side Petrarca on Saturday with Australian legend Chris Latham grabbing himself a hat-trick for the visitors at the Stadio Plebiscito.
It was the perfect result for the Warriors as they looked to get their European Challenge Cup off to the right start and will no doubt give them plenty of confidence as they prepare for next weekends second ECC group match against Bucuresti in Romania.
Six first half efforts, including two a piece for Latham and Alex Grove, went some way to wrapping the game up before the half time whistle.
There was a brief setback for Mike Ruddock’s men when flyhalf Matthew Jones received a yellow card during the first half but it did little to stop their march towards the impressive opening round win.
Perhaps understandable the home side took their foot off the pedal during the second half but three more tries from Rico Gear, Latham, and Greg Rawlinson got Worcester past the fifty mark.
Teams:
Scorers:
Warriors:
Tries: Latham 3, Grove 2. Gear, Fellows, Tuitupou, Rawlinson
Con: Latham, Jones 4
Petrarca:
Pens: Mercier 2
Yellow card: Matthew Jones (Warriors)
Warriors: Chris Latham (c), Rico Gear, Alex Grove, Sam Tuitupou, Charlie Fellows, Matthew Jones, Matt Powell; Darren Morris, Chris Fortey, Tevita Taumoepeau, Graham Kitchener, Craig Gillies, Tom Wood, Matt Cox, Netani Talei
Replacements: Callum Black, Aleki Lutui, Shaun Ruwers, Greg Rawlinson, Joe Carlisle, Ryan Powell, Loki Crichton
