News

Latham takes Padova apart

Saturday 11th October 2008

Gold Standard: Former Australia star Chris Latham enjoyed his first taste of European rugby

Worcester Warriors import Chris Latham scored a hat-trick of tries as the last year's losing finalist began the new European Challenge Cup season with a thumping nine-try 55-6 victory over Petrarca Padova at Stadio Plebiscito in Italy on Saturday.

Centre Alex Grove added a brace of tries for Worcester, with New Zealanders Rico Gear, Greg Rawlinson and Sam Tuitupou and home-gown wing Charlie Fellows also on the scoresheet.

Mike Ruddock's men had secured a try-scoring bonus point inside 33 minuteso thanks to Grove's third-minute opener and Latham's hat-trick.

Matthew Jones added four conversions and Latham one, with Petraca's only points coming from the boot of former Gloucester outside-half Ludovic Mercier.

The scorers:

For Petrarca Padova:
Pens: Mercier 2

For Worcester Warriors:
Tries: Latham 3, Gear, Rawlinson, Tuitupou, Fellows, Grove 2
Cons: Latham, Jones 4
Pens:

The teams:

Petrarca Padova: 15 Ludovic Mercier, 14 Lorenzo Innocenti, 13 Marco Rosa, 12 Roberto Bertetti, 11 Warren Spragg, 10 Nick Little, 9 Davide Pastormerlo, 8 Zane Ansell, 7 Nicolas Galatro (c), 6 Paul Derbyshire, 5 Gonzalo Padrea, 4 Domo Domolailai, 3 Michele Matteralia, 2 Lorenzo Giovanchelli, 1 Chris Caporello.
Replacements: 16 Mariano Gastaldi, 17 Nicola Gatto, 18 Tino Paoletti, 19 Wilhelm Stoltz, 20 Emmanuel Billot, 21 Martin Acuna, 22 Nicola Bezzati.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Latham (c), 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Fellows, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Kitch Kitchener, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Darren Morris.
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Greg Rawlinson, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Loki Crichton.

Referee: David Rosich (France)