Warriors push the Tigers all the way

Flyhalf Jeremy Staunton was once again the match winner for Leicester on Saturday, kicking 14 of his teams points in their hard-fought 19-14 victory over Worcester at Welford Road.

The Tigers were made to scrap for victory by a gutsy Worcester, who have failed to win at Welford Road in nine visits since 1895, and twice had to come from behind to clinch their third Guinness Premiership win of the season. Moody crossed from a first half lineout but it was left to Staunton to kick Leicester victory with a drop goal then a penalty after flanker Tom Wood crossed for Worcester’s try midway through the second half.

Once again Leicester, missing 10 players through injury, lacked cohesion and the game was ruined as a spectacle by a strong wind which caused problems for the kickers. Worcester worked tirelessly in defence to frustrate Leicester but lacked the finishing power to cause an upset, although they did take the lead with barely a minute on the clock.

Leicester were penalised for killing the ball in a ruck after just 23 seconds and Willie Walker banged over the first of his three first half penalties.

Staunton’s tactical kicking and some penetrative running from England centre Dan Hipkiss gave Worcester few opportunities to relieve the pressure but Staunton was off target with an 11th-minute penalty attempt that caught the stiff downfield breeze and drifted wide.

Staunton was also wide of the target with a drop goal effort four minutes later but Worcester had already been penalised at the breakdown and the former Ireland flyhalf was able to land the penalty. A second penalty from Staunton after Worcester infringed under mounting pressure put Leicester ahead but Walker levelled with a well-struck penalty when winger Miles Benjamin managed to break into Tigers’ territory.

It proved a brief respite for Worcester as Ryan Powell was forced to nudge the ball into touch close to his own line. Leicester won the resulting line-out and Moody emerged from a pile of bodies to claim the try. Staunton expertly added a difficult conversion from the right-hand touchline.

Staunton’s conversion was eclipsed by a more spectacular effort from Walker who closed the half with a wind-assisted penalty from five metres inside his own half that bounced over off the crossbar. Staunton struck the left post with a firmly-struck penalty when Worcester went off-side five minutes into the second half but this time the kick bounced back into play.

Worcester brought on prop Matt Mullan, hooker Aleki Lutui and lock Graham Kitchener which appeared to give their pack drive and direction and they stunned the home crowd when a sustained attack created the overlap for Wood to gallop over. The try reclaimed the lead but Walker was unable to add a difficult conversion into the wind.

Leicester were back in front within three minutes when Staunton slotted a drop goal but he hooked a penalty chance a minute later when Netani Talei was penalised for holding on in a ruck. But Staunton made no mistake when Worcester took down a scrum, his third penalty proving the final score of a disappointing contest.

The Scorers

For Leicester

Tries: Moody
Pen: Staunton 3
Cons: Staunton
DG: Staunton

For Worcester

Tries: Wood
Pen: Walker 3

The Teams

Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Matt Smith, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 James Grindal, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Louis Deacon (captain), 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Joe Duffey, 1 Boris Stankovich
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Julian White, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Craig Newby, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Lucas Amorosino

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Pat Sanderson (captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Adam Black
Replacements: 16 Matt Mullan, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Dale Rasmussen

Referee: Chris White (164th Premiership game)