Warriors pile on agony

Leeds are still rooted to the bottom of the Premiership following a fifth straight defeat.

Worcester 22-15 Leeds

Guinness Premiership, Headingley, Friday October 14

Leeds picked up their first point of the season but are still rooted to the bottom of the Premiership following their fifth successive defeat.

Worcester dominated in the forwards and were good value for the win against a side that is already apparently staring relegation in the face after just five rounds of the season.

Italian fly-half Roland de Marigny kicked all the Tykes' points  to keep the visitors in touch, but Worcester rarely looked like surrendering their undefeated home record.

Winger Thinus Delport and replacement flanker Saosi Viaili crossed for tries, with Shane Drahm slotting four penalties.

Leeds flanker Nathan Thomas late-tackled Drahm from the kick-off as the Tykes set down a marker early and the visitors drew first blood when De Marigny slotted a 12th-minute penalty.

But Worcester's marauding forwards were already causing problems for Leeds, with prop Chris Horsman particularly prominenet.

The Leeds defence finally cracked on 20 minutes after wing Aisea Havili - on debut - created space with a srong run and Nicolas Le Roux sent Delport sprinting over to score.

Tykes lock Scott Morgan was fortunate to avoid a yellow card after throwing a punch at Horsman and after Drahm slotted a short-range penalty four minutes before the break, the sides went in with the hosts 8-3 to the good.

Drahm added a second successful penalty early in the second half to stretch the lead and the Warriors should have wrapped up the contest 19 minutes from time when Delport sprinted through a gaping midfield gap, but hurled a wild pass to Le Roux into touch

But the Worcester forwards were not to be denied and after a powerful lineout drive, Vaili went over for the crucial score.

De Marigny slotted two late penalties for Leeds and after hooker Chris Fortey was sin-binned, the Tykes scented an unlikely comeback.

But Drahm's third and fourth penalties kept Worcester clear and secured a deserved victory. The Warriors stay in touch with the leaders but a long winter of struggle looks in prospect for the Tykes.

Worcester (8) 22
Tries: Delport, Vaili
Pens: Drahm 4

Leeds: (3) 15
Pens: De Marigny 5