AFTER Worcester's 40-13 demolition of Leeds Tykes back in September, few would have believed the Yorkshire side would take the National One title race to the wire.

However, Phil Davies' side have shown great character to come back so strongly and, aided by Worcester's defeat at Moseley, look set to push the Sixways club all the way this season.

With the mouth-watering Headingley clash awaiting us on April 1, there will doubtless be more twists and turns yet to come in the race for the title and promotion to the Zurich Premiership.

Promotion, pending an agreement over the thorny issue, will be hard fought but looking down the fixtures the championship could well be decided before that titanic clash in Yorkshire.

London Welsh coach Adrian Davies said back in December that the two title rivals will not go through the rest of the season without losing another game. And with both clubs facing tricky away days in the next few months, the race for the title will be one of the most intriguing yet.

Worcester still have to travel to Exeter, Wakefield, Henley, Beford and Birmingham & Solihull as well as the trip to Headingley and will also face Midland rivals Moseley at Sixways.

Phil Davies' side face a trip to Waterloo before visiting Bedford, Otley, Moseley, Exeter, Birmingham & Solihull and Henley. The only potential banana skins at Headingley is the Worcester clash and games against Coventry and Manchester.

It is ironic that Moseley and former Sixways star Ben Harvey could yet do Worcester a big favour and upset the Tykes at Birmingham University on March 10.

Adrian Skeggs' and several Worcester players' former club Bedford are also likely to have a big say in the title race when they face the top two sides at Goldington Road on March 10 and February 10 respectively.

And Henley, who Worcester took apart on Saturday, also await the visit of the title rivals, with Leeds travelling to Dry Leas on the final day of the season.

Certainly, Skeggs is not losing sleep over the title race and whenever questioned about the prospect of travelling to Leeds for the title showdown, he wears a wry smile.

He said: "I'm not too worried about Leeds. I wouldn't mind playing them every week because my players love the big games.

"Leeds have played some good rugby recently and have reacted extremely well to the defeat at Sixways earlier in the season.

"However, we all believe at Worcester that we have the players to win the competition and that view has not altered all season despite the loss at Moseley.

"The players at Worcester want to prove to everyone that they are worthy champions of this competition."