DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons revealed the words of American philosopher Elbert Hubbard helped to inspire Worcester Warriors’ players to their first victory of the Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Warriors were sitting at the foot of the table after losing their opening three games when they arrived at Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers on Sunday.

But Worcester produced a stunning first-half display to storm in front before a last-gasp try from Ted Hill sealed a 44-37 win after Tigers overcame a 26-point deficit to draw level late on.

Hubbard wrote: “The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it — so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it.

“How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success.

“As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in.

“In business sometimes prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn.

“A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.

“There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.”

Solomons said he used the American writer’s words to spur his troops on after last week’s disappointing 23-20 defeat to Newcastle Falcons at Sixways.

“The margins are fine but if you keep at it the tide turns,” Solomons said.

“I gave them a quote last Monday from Elbert Hubbard on this exact point. If you keep at it, you are resilient and you don’t give up. The tide will turn.

“It’s like anything in life. The momentum will swing so we just had to show that resilience and to be at our best on Sunday.”

Solomons also paid tribute to his players and the club’s backers after the dramatic triumph which lifted Worcester off the bottom.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the team,” Solomons said.

“GJ (van Velze) as captain and Millsy (Ryan Mills) as vice-captain were absolutely fantastic but the whole team must take credit for it.

“It was a wonderful performance.

“The staff, people at the club, the board, executive chairman Bill Bolsover, (president) Cecil Duckworth and David Allen have all been there behind the team.

“They have been saying that the margins are fine and you will cross the divide.”