Worcester Warriors will not want to be regular 'gallant losers' after late Leicester Tigers defeat

WORCESTER Warriors won’t want to adopt the 'gallant losers' tag too often this season but they came within seconds of defying the odds to almost snatch a bonus point in the Aviva Premiership.

Warriors defended heroically in a backs-to-the-wall second half but came up empty-handed when Lachlan McCaffrey was driven over in the final play and Owen Williams slotted the conversion for third-placed Tigers.

It could have been a different story for Warriors, who were outstanding in the opening 20 minutes, had they not finished with 13 men on the pitch.

They deservedly roared into a 17-0 lead after tries from Wynand Olivier and Matt Cox.

But Warriors played 38 minutes of the second half without Irish lock Donncha O’Callaghan, who was sent off for two yellow card offences by referee Wayne Barnes.

Academy prop Gareth Milasinovich was also yellow carded in the second period within a minute of coming onto the field as Tigers’ pressure told at the set-piece.

Tigers' last-gasp converted try was cruel on a brave Worcester side, who suffered their first home defeat this season.

Warriors’ poor discipline cost them dear but Worcester are showing plenty of signs they are capable of holding their own against the best sides in the top tier.

Worcester’s front row continues to look threadbare although Na’ma Leliemalefaga was dynamic in the loose and hooker Niall Annett worked his socks off.

Wing Cooper Vuna looked back to his best form and used his strength in the first half to run at the Leicester midfield.

Bryce Heem continues to show his power and Mike Williams, a former Warriors favourite, suffered a suspected broken arm in a collision with the New Zealand wing.

An early penalty from Tom Heathcote fired Worcester ahead and Olivier’s maiden try, from a smart pass from Ryan Mills, was converted by the former Bath fly-half to stretch the hosts’ lead to 10-0.

Ryan Mills was off target with a long-range penalty before Cox finished off a close-range move to cap Worcester’s blockbusting opening quarter with a second try, which Heathcote converted.

But O’Callaghan was harshly yellow carded in the 27th minute at a ruck and Tigers piled on the pressure until former Warrior Graham Kitchener broke several tackles to dot down.

Owen Williams’ conversion gave Tigers hope and their outlook improved after the interval when, with a strong wind at their backs, O’Callaghan was dismissed for pulling down a driving maul.

Rookie prop Milasinovich replaced Joe Rees but was yellow carded at the resulting scrum before Telusa Veainu raced through soon afterwards for Tigers’ second try.

A defiant Warriors stretched their lead to 20-12 with Heathcote’s second penalty but the drama was far from over as Tigers' heavy pack turned the screw.

Owen Williams reduced arrears with a penalty after Warriors had collapsed a scrum and then, with seven minutes remaining, they were awarded a penalty try.

The same player converted to put Leicester ahead for the first time and Cox was yellow-carded.

Heathcote saw a long-range penalty attempt drop short of the posts before disaster struck for Warriors.

Another scrum infringement from the hosts allowed Tigers to set up a close-range driving line-out and, with 32 seconds remaining, McCaffrey drove over and Owen Williams converted to leave Warriors' players and supporters in a state of shock.