17 - 13HT 3 - 10

Sixways
Att 7,487
Sun 24 Feb 19, 1:00pm

Report & Highlights | Warriors 17-13 Leicester Tigers

Tom Howe snatched another dramatic last-gasp victory for Warriors when he went over on the overlap with the final play of another pulsating contest at Sixways.

Howe’s try was his ninth in as many first team appearances this season and his second in successive Gallagher Premiership matches.

It capped another never-say-die performance from Warriors and clinched four more priceless points to put them nine clear of Newcastle.

Warriors had to work hard for their victory and although their handling let them down on occasions they stuck to their task gamely and again overturned a half-time deficit which would have been greater had Leicester not had two tries disallowed before the break.

A close range try from Francois Hougaard began the fightback and Howe’s perfect finish gave EWarriors a third win of the season over Leicester and ended Tigers’ run of ten straight wins in all competitions at Sixways.

Warriors dominated territory and possession in the first half but had only a Duncan Weir penalty to show for their efforts.

It was Leicester who took the lead against the run of play when fly-half Matt Toomua banged over a 15th minute penalty.

Leicester thought they had scored the opening try four minutes later when a sweeping attack from a put left wing Jordan Olowofela over but the visitors’ celebrations were quickly silenced when referee Craig Maxwell-Keys consulted with TMO David Rose who wiped out the try for a forward pass earlier in the move.

Warriors drew level when Weir found the target with a 24th minute penalty and a try appeared inevitable when they battered away at the Leicester line and worked an overlap.

But when the try came it was at the other end as Leicester’s Wales international wing Jonah Holmes intercepted and went the length of the pitch for the try which Toomua improved.

Weir was then off target with two penalty attempts in three minutes before Warriors had another let-off at the other end.

Leicester scrum-half Ben White appeared to have nipped in for a try but the referee and TMO again combined and the try was disallowed for obstruction on Weir in the build-up.

Warriors drew level early in the second half when Hougaaard dotted down from close range and Weir added the conversion.

Warriors piled on the pressure but couldn’t add further points and it was Leicester regained the lead when replacement fly-half Tom Hardwick landed a 66th minute penalty.

With time running out, Warriors committed themselves to attack and their patient approach work was rewarded when Howe went over for the winner and Weir converted from touch for the Last Gasp Kings.

Warriors | 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Mills (C) (Lawrence 70), 11 Tom Howe, 10 Duncan Weir , 9 Francois Hougaard (Heaney 70), 1 Ethan Waller (Black 54), 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Nick Schonert (Milasinovich 54), 4 Anton Bresler (Phillips 58), 5 Michael Fatilaofa, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Marco Mama.
Replacements | 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Callum Black, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Pierce Phillips, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Ollie Lawrence

Timeline
15m | Toomua pen 0-3
24m | Weir pen 3-3
31m | Holmes try 3-8
32m | Toomua con 3-10
45m | Hougaard try 8-10
46m | Weir con 10-10
66m | Hardwick pen 10-13
79m | Howe try 15-13
80m | Weir con 17-13

Competition: Gallagher Premiership Rugby
Venue: Sixways
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Game Type: Home
Fixture Round: 14
Attendance: 7,487
No. Name T C D P
15 George Worth
14 Jonah Holmes 1T
13 Gareth Owen
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Jordan Olowofela
10 Matt Toomua 1C 1P
9 Ben White
1 Facundo Gigena
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Harry Wells
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Fitzgerald
7 Mike Williams
8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 Campese Ma'afu
18 Joe Heyes
19 Will Spencer
20 Guy Thompson
21 Harry Simmons
22 Tom Hardwick 1P
23 Sam Aspland-Robinson

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