WORCESTER Wolves players had to duck for cover in the face of a barrage of disappointment at title-challenging Leicester Riders.

Unable to carry over the fighting qualities shown in Friday’s close defeat to Bristol Flyers, Wolves fell into a huge 63-32 half-time deficit.

And they only compounded their woes by giving up a self-destructing nine technical fouls, allowing Leicester to rampage to a thumping 121-70 victory.

The opening plays of the match gave no sign of what was to follow.

Robert Crawford drove confidently to the hoop and then sank a three-pointer for a 5-0 visitors' lead.

However, a double of holding fouls in the first couple of minutes for Miki Servera did indicate that the evening would be closely-refereed.

Darell Combs picked up an offensive foul after a tussle with his defender and Worcester frustrations with the match officials overshadowed their structure as Riders calmly strolled to a 33-18 first-quarter advantage.

Three points for Combs reduced the arrears as the second period began but when usually-restrained big man Lester Prosper was awarded a technical foul for dissent the rot once more set in.

Missed shots, wayward passes and fragile defence saw Leicester gleefully power to a shade under twice Wolves’ points total going into half-time.

Just after the break Combs attracted a technical foul when disputing a decision and was sent off the court for follow-up sarcastic clapping.

Deshawn Freeman joined the argument as did the Worcester bench, resulting in four made free throws for Riders and a no-way-back 71-34 lead.

Season-leading scorer Freeman had notched just eight points when he was the next man dismissed to the locker-rooms after being unable to hold in his frustration.

Both teams ushered their reserve players into the action as the ill-tempered encounter wound down.

Jordan Whelan with 19 points and Crawford with 18 were the only significant Worcester scorers.