Worcester Warriors 11 London Irish 12 (From Worcester News)

Worcester Warriors 11 London Irish 12

10:17pm Friday 22nd February 2008 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WARRIORS grabbed a valuable losing bonus point courtesy of an improved display against London Irish in the Guinness Premiership at Sixways.

Australian full-back Peter Hewat kicked all of the Exiles' points, while Worcester replied with a well-taken Rico Gear try and a brace of penalties from Loki Crichton and Shane Drahm.

Mike Ruddock's men improved their discipline on the whole, but nearly fell behind in the third minute after being guilty of pulling down at a line-out.

Irish's outside-centre Delon Armitage shanked his effort off target, though.

Matt Powell sent out two poor passes in the early exchanges, which put Worcester under pressure and led to the hosts conceding a penalty for coming in at the side as they tried to regain possession.

However, Armitage again missed his attempt at the posts.

Powell fielded an up-and-under well and broke up field, but referee Rob Debney harshly called play back for a penalty for crossing. This time, Hewat stepped up and made no mistake to give the Exiles a 13th-minute lead.

Warriors staged a spell of pressure of their own but, after several phases, Sam Tuitupou knocked-on. Soon after, fellow Kiwi Rico Gear also fumbled the ball forward when well-placed to attack.

After Irish were awarded a scrum, Drew Hickey spoke out of turn to referee Debney, who was certainly not endearing himself to the Sixways faithful. Hewat punished his countryman's poor discipline to the tune of three points.

After 31 minutes, Warriors roared back into the game with a Gear try in the corner following a strong rolling maul and some good inter-play with left-wing Miles Benjamin.

But Hewat extended Irish's advantage to four points with another penalty after Worcester had been penalised for collapsing a scrum.

The Exiles started the second-half by stealing a Warriors line-out and Hewat slotted a drop-goal. However, Mike Catt then dwelt on his clearance which allowed Kai Horstmann to charge the ball down and, although Irish secured the ball, they were penalised for not realeasing and Crichton pulled the score back to 12-8.

Replacement Dan Murphy cynically blocked Crichton as he chip-and-chased through Irish's defence, but Debney opted to keep his card in his pocket. From the penalty, Thinus Delport criminally failed to find touch.

Warriors' replacement fly-half Drahm went straight into the action after coming on for Crichton, slotting a 35-metre penalty after Irish had strayed off-side.

The visitors were awarded a penalty after Tevita Taumoepeau had been spotted coming in at the side. However, the penalty was then moved forward after another infringement by Hickey was reported by the touch judge. Hewat, hoever, pushed his effort off target.

There was a let-off for Drahm as his wild inside pass flew straight to Richard Skuse, who surged to the Warriors line, however, the home side were reprieved by a knock-on from the visitors.

In the last minute, Marcel Garvey won Worcester a line-out when his kick through was carried into touch. Warriors won the line-out and staged a late rally, but the Irish defence held firm.