Leicester 40pts, Worcester 21 WORCESTER are five points behind their closest rivals at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership after they were hammered by an understrength Leicester side at Welford Road.

Three second-half tries from the visitors reduced the margin of defeat but in reality they were totally outclassed for much of the game.

Even without the likes of Martin Corry, Julian White and Geordan Murphy, the Tigers had too much quality against a side looking desparately short of confidence.

Warriors were without skipper Pat Sanderson, who was on duty with England, but prop Chris Horsman was in the starting line-up after he was pulled out of Wales' match with Australia.

Phil Murphy was a late replacement for Richard Blaze at second row after the latter suffered an injury in training.

Tigers were missing a whole host of players because of various international commitments but they were still able to field a realtively strong line-up which included one of the league's best finishers in Tom Varndell.

Worcester started brightly and fly-half Shane Drahm came up just short with a penalty attempt from inside his own half and also missed a well-worked drop goal.

They were also grateful to wing Aisea Havili, who made two try-saving tackles early on.

The first was on Varndell as he stormed down close to the left-hand touchline and the second was on Johne Murphy close to the try-line.

But, in the 12th minute, Leicester did make their breakthrough.

Gavin Quinnell, on as a blood replacement for Kai Horstmann, prevented Sam Vesty from touching down but number eight Jordan Crane was on hand to crash over.

Fly-half Paul Burke hit the post with his conversion attempt.

Burke struck two penalties but in the 25th minute, Crane was almost in for a second before being barged into touch by Tom Harding.

But, from the line-out, Tigers switched the ball to the other side of the field and flanker Brett Deacon forced his way over in the corner.

Under pressure from the advancing Havili, Burke again hit the post with his conversion attempt.

Leicester's third try is one Mark Tucker will want to forget. The Warriors winger attempted to keep his feet in play when catching a high ball but lost his balance.

From the resulting line-out, the ball came to Varndell and the England wing skipped past Tucker like he wasn't there to score a fine individual try. Warriors found themselves 23-0 down at that point.

They had chances to put points on the board before half-time but Drahm dragged a penalty wide and Thomas Lombard was penalised for holding on when in a promising position.

The second-half started in a similar vein and Leicester extended their lead when prop Martin Castrogiovanni broke off from the maul close to the line.

That sparked a mini-revival from Worcester and Horsman crossed from close range after a catch-and-drive.

Leicester hooker Gavin Hickie, a Sixways employee last season, had only just come on the field when he was sin-binned for failing to roll away at the ruck.

Warriors took advantage and Simon Whatling got their second try after an angled run from the right. The young inside centre played no further part in the game after injuring his ankle in the process.

Leicester's supporters were beginning to get edgy but Dan Hipkiss settled their nerves when he stormed over with six minutes to go.

It looked like Warriors might sneak two surprise bonus points when Lee Best finished off a fine move which also involved Matt Powell and Darren Morris.

Drahm converted to reduce the gap to 13 points.

But Shane Jennings crossed late on for Leicester and, even though Worcester got to within yards of the line, they were unable to clinch a point.

Warriors: Best, Havili, Lombard, Whatling (Delport), Tucker, Drahm, R Powell (M Powell), L Fortey (Morris), Lutui (Gotting), Horsman, Gillies, Murphy (Collier), Horstmann (Quinnell), Harding, Hickey.

Scorers: Tries: Horsman, Whatling, Best. Conversions: Drahm (three).

Referee: Sean Davey.

Attendance: 16,766.