Late penalty try wins it for Leicester
Leicester moved temporarily top of the Aviva Premiership standings after two penalty tries helped them beat Worcester 19-14 on Friday.
Leicester moved temporarily top of the Aviva Premiership table after two penalty tries helped them overcome Worcester 19-14 at Sixways on Friday.
The Warriors stormed into an 11-0 lead thanks to two Andy Goode penalties and David Lemi finishing a well-worked try after Matt Kvesic and Jon Clarke combined to create the necessary space for the Samoan winger to score in the corner.
The Tigers evening got worse when Italian prop Martin Castrogiovanni was yellow-carded for a high-tackle on Semisi Taulava and Goode's subsequent successful penalty extended the home side's lead.
The Warriors stoic defence thwarted Leicester's attacking advancements as the counter attacking ability of Josh Drauninu and individual brilliance of England hopeful Kvesic were proving prominent for the home side.
Leicester struck back when swift handling by the Tigers back division allowed winger Scott Hamilton to score the visitors opening try and in the process Goode was sin-binned for foul play. Incumbent England fly-half Toby Flood failed to add the extras as Worcester went into half-time 14-5 in front.
The Warriors had a couple of opportunities to extend their lead but Chris Pennell, taking over the kicking duties in Goode's absence, missed two penalties in quick succession.
The introduction of replacements Dan Cole and Marcos Ayerza gave the Tigers fresh impetus and resulted in referee JP Doyle awarding a penalty try for a Warriors scrum infringement. Flood's conversion left the scores finely posed at 14-12.
As the Tigers looked to claw their way back into the game, Flood's fourth penalty miss looked like it was not going to be their night.
However, with just a minute remaining the Tigers piled the pressure on the Warriors line resulting in Doyle awarding the second penalty try of the game for a scrum infringement. Flood's conversion sealed an epic comeback for the Tigers whilst the distraught Warriors outfit where left scratching their heads in bewilderment.
The scorers:
For Worcester:
Try: Lemi
Pen: Goode 3
For Leicester:
Tries: Hamilton, Penalty 2
Con: Flood 2
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Jon Clarke, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Semisi Taulava, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sam Betty, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 James Percival (c), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 John Andress, 19 Chris Jones, 20 Neil Best, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Danny Gray, 23 Josh Matavesi.
Leicester: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Steve Mafi, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ed Slater, 4 Louis Deacon (c), 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Rob Hawkins, 1 Logovi'i Mulipola.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Julian Salvi, 21 Micky Young, 22 Anthony Allen, 23 Niall Morris.
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Andrew Pearce, Peter Huckle
Television match official: Trevor Fisher
Timekeeper: Laurie Bryant
Assessor: Tony Spreadbury