WHEN it comes to attracting crowds to matches, Worcester Wolves are showing their city rivals the way.

Since moving to the University Arena 18 months ago, the British Basketball League side have seen attendances increase significantly.

Last season they averaged 1,300 fans across 20 games and that level has been maintained this term, with the Hylton Road venue packed for last Friday’s thrilling victory over league leaders Newcastle Eagles.

Considering their humble roots in front of a handful of fans at the university sports hall 10 years ago, it is a remarkable rise.

Compare that to what is happening with the Warriors and Worcester City. Warriors struggle to half fill Sixways on a regular basis, regardless of whether their figures include season-ticket holders or not.

There were huge pockets of empty seats for last Saturday’s 62-26 thrashing of Cornish Pirates, a scenario that is not uncommon.

While City have seen an incredible spike in attendances due to their FA Cup exploits, run of the mill gates at Aggborough are still levelling off at around 500.

That is good when you consider the blue and whites play 15 miles outside of Worcester but enticing more people across the county is, generally speaking, proving a struggle.

Of course, success plays a major role in this, and sustained success at that. City rode the crest of a wave with their FA Cup matches against Coventry City and Scunthorpe United but haven’t troubled the promotion places in the second tier of non-league football for 30 years.

Break that trend this season and things could change.

Warriors no longer have a seat at the top table of English rugby and, with few exceptions, had seen crowds drop before relegation.

While they are flying in the Championship, the fact it is not the Premiership, coupled with the format, appears to be costing them at the turnstiles.

Wolves, however, were a team on the up when they resided on the university’s St John’s campus and have gone from strength to strength since, to the extent they won the BBL play-offs in 2014 and are one of the best teams in the country.