Warriors boss Carl Hogg roasts Worcester after they throw away winning position

24 September 2016 06:23

Worcester boss Carl Hogg was frustrated after he saw his side throw away a golden chance to record their first Premiership win of the season.

The Warriors had turned around a 17-5 deficit and appeared to have the game won when they scored 26 unanswered points to lead 31-17. However they carelessly conceded control and allowed Sale to escape with a 34-34 draw.

"It's very disappointing as five tries and 34 points should be enough to win you a Premiership game," Hogg said.

"We made a slow start but we got ourselves back into it and by half-time we looked a very dangerous side and were dominating.

"We had two or three opportunities to put the game to bed, which we didn't take and in the end ill discipline in giving them the ball back in the final quarter cost us the win.

"We had the wind in our favour in the second half but we gave away 10 penalties, which allowed Sale crucial positions in our 22 and they had a strong enough pack to rumble over."

Two tries from Jamie Shillcock and one each from Wynand Olivier, Jonny Arr and Perry Humphreys had seen Worcester build up a healthy advantage but it should have been even greater had Ryan Lamb not missed three of his seven kicks including a simple penalty.

Lamb had a mixed of a game, creating a couple of tries but he threw a telegraphed pass for Will Addison to score an interception try.

Hogg said: "It was a typical game from Ryan for with ball in hand, he is able to distort defences but inconsistency is part of his make-up."

Next Sunday, Worcester face Newcastle at Sixways which Hogg accepts is a crucial fixture.

"Every home game in the Premiership is crucial, if you are going to be successful and next week's game is vital," he said.

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond was impressed with his side's explosive start which resulted in a 17-5 lead built on two tries from Addison and two conversions and a penalty from AJ MacGinty.

The visitors were not helped by a yellow card for full-back Byron McGuigan then fell away badly before late tries from Neil Briggs and Halani Aulika enabled them to pick up a valuable three points.

Diamond said: "To be fair, we started really well before conceding silly penalties to let them back into it.

"Worcester are a better side than they were last year so I'm happy to come away with three points as we are missing six or seven players through injury and we are hoping that the magnificent seven will be back within the next few weeks.

"At 31-17 I thought we were too far away for a comeback but we got our driving maul going in the last quarter."

Sale had to rely on MacGinty to keep them in contention as it was their new recruit's impressive goal-kicking that allowed them to do so. He converted all four tries and added two penalties to draw praise from Diamond.

"AJ was magnificent today," Diamond added. "He controlled the game for us and kicked the goals."

Source: PA