Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Error-strewn game tips Worcester's way to leave Solomons feeling very relieved

By Online Editors
Worcester's Niall Annett has his jersey pulled over his head by Leicester's Guy Thompson (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons said it was vital that his side got off to a winning start and they produced just that by defeating Leicester 24-16 in a poor Gallagher Premiership game at Sixways.

ADVERTISEMENT

Worcester’s tries came from Ted Hil and Perry Humphreys with Duncan Weir kicking four penalties and a conversion. Leicester responded with a try from Tom Youngs with Tom Hardwick, a late replacement for the sick Kyle Eastmond, adding three penalties and a conversion.

Hardwick missed with a penalty and conversion and fellow centre EW Viljoen failed with a long-distance penalty, which ultimately ensured Tigers came away with nothing. Solomons said: “If you start the Premiership with a home game, it’s important you come away with the win.

“The players were a bit nervous as they knew there was a lot riding on it but we gave away penalties at key moments, which was a big factor in the game. It was a very tight affair but fortunately we came out on the right side of it. Leicester were without a number of key players so we have to put the win in perspective but we knew it would be tough as they have good strength in depth.”

Weir was Worcester’s hero as he stepped up to succeed with two late penalties, one an effort from near halfway, to ensure victory. Solomons said: “The message went out to kick the goal as I believed it was just within Duncan’s range. His boot was invaluable but the game wasn’t won until that last-minute penalty went over.”

(Continue reading below…)

Video Spacer

Leicester’s head coach Geordan Murphy considered Worcester to be deserved winners. He said: “After 65 minutes, it was ours to win but we missed a couple of crucial goal-kicks, which always proves costly in the Premiership, but we were still second best on the day.

“We were some way off our performances in pre-season as the intensity wasn’t there and we were nervous and really sloppy. We were sharp at times and a bit better defensively but individual errors hurt us and they were the more accurate.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The match itself was a litany of errors and lost possession which culminated in a try-less second half with four penalties, the only addition to the half-time score. Murphy added: “It was a really strange game and not pleasing to watch. It was a turgid affair as everyone seemed a little tense.”

WATCH: Former Australian international Matt Giteau sits down with RugbyPass in the latest episode of Rugby World Cup Memories

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 9 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Beyond 80 | Episode 4

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Who can truly be called the best rugby side in the world

Justin Marshall | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Sevens Challenger Montevideo - Day 3

Japan Rugby League One | Wildknights v Bravelupus | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 8 | Six Nations Round 4 Preview

Los Angeles HSBC SVNS - Day 3 - Full Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change
Search