23 - 28HT 13 - 16

Sixways
Att 11,499
Sat 06 May 17, 4:00pm

REPORT | Warriors 23-28 Leicester Tigers

Warriors picked up a losing bonus point at Sixways as they ended their 2016/17 campaign with a narrow 23-28 defeat against Leicester Tigers.

The sides took turns to dominate proceedings in the first period as Tom Youngs and Chris Pennell exchanged tries but Leicester went in 16-13 ahead at the break thanks to three penalties from Freddie Burns.

Bryce Heem crossed for a fantastic solo effort three minutes into the second-half, before Burns added nine points with the boot courtesy of two penalties and a drop-goal.

Olivier raced in for the hosts’ third try with just under 15 minutes remaining before Burns settled the contest with his sixth penalty late on.

Warriors started well as Perry Humphreys raced down the left and could have been ahead inside the opening three minutes if it wasn’t for a superb defensive effort from Leicester on their own tryline.

The sides went toe-to-toe in the early exchanges as both searched for the upper hand but the visitors eventually went ahead as Burns bisected the posts with a penalty.

Warriors replied two minutes later as Ryan Mills struck his own penalty from just inside the Leicester half to get his side on the board.

Francois Hougaard soon brought Jack Roberts to a halt as he looked destined for the tryline before Burns added his second penalty of the match to put his side 6-3 up.

Warriors continued to push forward as Pennell exchanged passes with Humphreys before O’Callaghan was halted just short of the line as the hosts searched for a try.

And Warriors were made to pay at the other end as Youngs forced his way over the line following good work from the forward pack.

The match became more open as the half wore on and Warriors were looking to spray the ball across their backline at every opportunity.

And Gary Gold’s side were rewarded with their first try of the afternoon as Pennell found space on the left and wriggled his way to the line.

Mills’ conversion cut Leicester’s lead to just three points before Burns and Mills exchanged penalties as the sides turned around with Leicester 16-13 ahead.

Like in the first-half, Warriors came storming out the blocks after the break and Heem went over for a sensational second try for the hosts as he sprinted down the right before holding off a string of chasing defenders en route to the line.

The lead continued to change hands and Burns kicked a drop-goal from close range ten minutes into the second period as Leicester battled to ensure they would finish the season in the top four.

Burns soon added a couple of penalties as Leicester stretched their lead but Warriors refused to roll over for their opponents.

The hosts continued to throw everything at Leicester and were eventually rewarded when Olivier got his name on the scoresheet as he raced from 30 metres out to dive over.

Both sides fought with intent but Burns settled the contest as he dispatched a final penalty with ten minutes to play.

Warriors | 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem (Vuna 67), 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ben Te’o (Lamb 57), 11 Perry Humphreys, 10 Ryan Mills, 9 Francois Hougaard (Baldwin 70), 1 Ryan Bower (Grant 72), 2 Joe Taufete’e (Singleton 55), 3 Gareth Milasinovich (Johnston 72), 4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C) (Barry 70), 5 Will Spencer, 6 Phil Dowson (Faosiliva 49), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 8 Marco Mama

Replacements | 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 James Johnston, 19 Darren Barry, 20 Alafoti Faosiliva, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Cooper Vuna

Timeline
14m | Burns pen 0-3
16m | Mills pen 3-3
18m | Burns pen 3-6
29m | T Youngs try 3-11
30m | Burns con 3-13
32m | Pennell try 8-13
33m | Mills con 10-13
37m | Burns pen 10-16
40m | Mills pen 13-16
43m | Heem try 18-16
49m | Burns dg 18-19
55m | Burns pen 18-22
58m | Burns pen 18-25
66m | Olivier try 23-25
70m | Burns pen 23-28

 

Competition: Aviva Premiership Rugby
Venue: Sixways
Referee: Tom Foley
Game Type: Home
Fixture Round: 22
Attendance: 11,499
No. Name T C D P
15 Mathew Tait
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Owen Williams
11 Peter Betham
10 Freddie Burns 1C 1D 6P
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs 1T
3 Dan Cole
4 Dom Barrow
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton
Replacements
16 George McGuigan
17 Greg Bateman
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Harry Thacker
21 Sam Harrison
22 Matt Smith
23 George Worth

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