Worcester Warriors grabbed a last-minute try to snatch victory away from Leicester Tigers at Sixways on Sunday afternoon. Tigers led 13-10 with the clock touching 79 minutes when wing Tom Howe dived over in the corner and fly-half Duncan Weir added the conversion to make it 17-13 in his side's favour with the concluding action of the afternoon in Round 14 of the Gallagher Premiership season. Jonah Holmes turned desperate defence into opportunist attack with an interception score for Tigers in the first half and they were still 10-3 in front at half-time despite having further ‘scores’ from Jordan Olowofela and then Ben White disallowed after consultation with the television match official. Warriors levelled matters early in a disappointing second period before Tom Hardwick put Tigers ahead again at 13-10 with a penalty on 65 minutes, but it was Warriors who managed to wrestle one final opportunity and leave their rivals in ninth place with just one consolation point from the day. The Tigers line-up included Dan Cole and Holmes after their release from international duty and head coach Geordan Murphy welcomed back Tatafu Polota-Nau, Will Spencer, Guy Thompson and Harry Simmons after injury. With Greg Bateman and Ellis Genge unavailable, Facundo Gigena started alongside Cole and Tom Youngs in the front row and there was a new look to the back row where Mike Fitzgerald and Mike Williams combined at flanker as Brendon O’Connor was ruled out. Warriors were missing Josh Adams, scorer of the decisive try in the Welsh victory over England, and welcomed back Ted Hill to replace skipper GJ van Velze, who suffered an arm injury last week. In the afternoon’s 1.00pm kick-off in unseasonal bright sunshine, Warriors had an early opportunity with an attack from a tap penalty on halfway before a pass from Fancois Venter carried forward on the right. Gigena enjoyed early success with a scrum penalty on halfway and a second soon followed as Toomua booted it into the corner where most of the Tigers supporters were congregated. But possession was lost after a couple of phases 20 metres out. Warriors were attacking every breakdown with numbers and gaining some reward as a counter-ruck produced turnover ball near their own line before a high tackle on Toomua allowed the Tigers fly-half to provide the opening points of the afternoon on 15 minutes with a penalty from 30 metres. George Worth had to look sharp as Warriors continued to kick in behind the Tigers defence and Ben White also provided he had enough in defence as he won a chase to a kick rrom Chris Pennell inside his own 22. Tigers had a try disallowed when Kyle Eastmond put Gareth Owen through on a 20-metre break in a central position and Olowofela arrived in support to dot down. The TMO, though, brought the referee’s attention to the Eastmond pass and it was given as forward with play returning for a Warriors scrum. A stunning hit from Cole on Ethan Waller, and a rip from the England prop to take back possession, slammed the door shut on another Worcester attack just as they were building numbers to the left to protect a precious three-point lead. Duncan Weir levelled the scores on 25 minutes after Eastmond was penalised over the ball and Tigers found themselves under massive pressure moments later, tackling on their own line, before Holmes picked off a no-look pass from Weir to run 95 metres for an interception score with Venter just behind him all the way. Toomua’s conversion gave Tigers a 10-3 lead as play entered the last 10 minutes of the half. The lead remained intact as Weir twice put kickable penalties wide before Tigers were denied by the match officials for a second time. After a lineout on the left, scrum-half White made a break, rode one tackle and got back to his feet to bounce over the line. But after a lengthy check of the replays, referee Craig Maxwell-Keys penalised Owen at the breakdown instead of allowing the score. Warriors had one more chance to cut the deficit as they attacked with penalty advantage just before half-time but spilled possession just as the referee signalled advantage over and Tigers headed back to the dressing rooms with a seven-point lead. Hardwick replaced Toomua for the start of the second half and he kicked off with Tigers facing into the sun as they looked for a sixth win of the league season. An early lineout drove took play 20 metres up towards the tryline but ended by being steered into touch and the missed chance proved costly as Worcester claimed the next score. Francois Venter's break took them within reach of the line and scrum-half Francois Hougaard stretched over from a ruck to dot down. The referee needed to check before awarding the score and Weir’s conversion levelled the scores at 10-10. A succession of lineouts and box-kicks punctuated the second period, with both sides waiting for their rivals to blink with the result in the balance. Polota-Nau and Spencer made their return from injury just short of the hour mark and Thompson followed them into the action as Warriors enjoyed a spell of possession without finding a decisive break. Spencer’s first touch of the ball made some valuable metres in Warriors territory and, when the whistle blew for offside, Hardwick put over the kick to give Tigers the lead again with 13 minutes remaining. Two missed lineouts denied valuable possession and Cole led the defensive effort from a dangerous Warriors lineout but missed touch from a penalty gave them another opportunity, especially as the referee blew in Worcester’s on halfway and Weir hammered his kick to the right corner. A timely tackle from Hardwick, though, and the intervention from Polota-Nau reclaimed possession and Tigers cleared. But Warriors returned and eventually created enough space on the right flank for wing Howe to dive over to win the game with the clock entering its final minute. Weir added a touchline kick to make it 17-13 in the final action of the afternoon.<doc-sep>The Warriors have continued their strong form in the trials, recording a second pre-season win with a 26-16 victory over the Tigers in Whangarei. Wingers David Fusitua and Ken Maumalo both crossed for doubles in the five tries-to-three victory. Blake Green and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made their first appearances of the pre-season, with the captain and reigning Dally M medallist getting through 60 minutes. Green was taken off at halftime, leaving Chanel Tavita-Harris and Adam Keighran in the halves for the Warriors. Maumalo had opened the scoring with a try in the corner following a bounce pass from Tohu Harris after a move broke down on the left edge. Luke Brooks hit back with a try for the Tigers before Fusitua crossed for his first. Maumalo crashed his way over for a second before halftime to give the Warriors a 14-6 lead at the break. An offload from Jazz Tevaga opened up an opportunity for Fusitua finished to score his second early in the second half. Adam Pompey scored the Warriors’ fifth try after a lovely kick-behind from Peta Hiku, who moved to fullback after Tuivasa-Sheck was taken out. Fusitua and Maumalo lasted just shy of 70 minutes before being taken off by coach Stephen Kearney. The Tigers scored two late consolation tries with Kiwis centre Esarn Marsters scoring for Wests in the final minutes.<doc-sep>After such a wretched run of injuries, Nathaniel Roache was simply happy to get through the Warriors' pre-season trials unscathed. But there were enough promising signs in Saturday's victory over Wests Tigers, and the previous week's win against Melbourne, to suggest the 22-year-old dummy-half could play an important role this season if his body allows him to. Roache is certainly deserving of some luck in that area. Injuries have restricted him to just 20 first grade appearances since making his debut in 2016, and he is on the comeback trail after missing all of last season following major back surgery. "It's been a bit of a battle. It's been so long, and dealing with game-day feels was tough, all the nerves and everything," Roache said after the 26-16 win over the Tigers in Whangarei. "It was a bit better this week. I'm in one piece so that's a good thing. READ MORE: * Keighran ready for Warriors * Tevaga eyes next step * Stephen Kearney goes vegan "There wasn't much expectation for me which really helped. Just listen to my body, go out there and do my role as best I can. To get through is massive for me and also just to play with these fellas again, to rub shoulders with them was awesome." After playing around 25 minutes against the Storm, Roache got through close to half the game against the Tigers. The shoulders were given a good workout on defence but it was his attack which stood out, the livewire hooker almost splitting the defence on a couple of occasions. With veteran hooker Issac Luke racing the clock to recover from shoulder injury for round one against the Bulldogs on March 16, it was a timely display But even when Luke is fit to take his place in the side, Roache could be an asset off the bench, with his acceleration and utility value. Roache knows it's a gradual process, although he was still slightly frustrated at his inability to turn the half-breaks into something more. "I'm feeling a little bit slow. There were a few times I went close to just breaking the line and something was holding me back - a hand, or a shirt grab - and it's annoying," he said. "I just really want to get a clean break but that's something I'll work towards and hopefully it will start paying off." Coach Stephen Kearney was pleased with Roache's effort and was confident all that would come with more minutes under his belt. "You can just see he's not far away from splitting the defence open, he poked his nose through a couple of times (on Saturday) and he did it once last week," Kearney said. "So it's just about him getting comfortable and getting some confidence with his game." While you can't read too much into trial results, there was plenty to like about the Warriors' final hit out before the start of the season. Wingers David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo were a handful out of the backfield, helping the forwards to generate momentum at the ruck, while Blake Green and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck controlled the attack well when on the park. "It's been a long time since I've been around some of these first grade players and it just flows a lot better. It's awesome to be a part of," Roache said. "The boys are carrying the ball really good, the outside backs are finishing well. Especially the start, it seemed to flow really well."<doc-sep>
The Warriors have hinted at the prospect of another competitive NRL campaign after beating the Wests Tigers in an uneventful trial match in Whangarei. The home side scored five tries to three and largely dominated Saturday’s contest, with wingers David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo bagging two tries each. Interest surrounded the halves’ combinations for both teams with the Warriors starting pair outpointing their rivals from the Tigers. Every game of every round of the NRL LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. Get it all on Foxtel. Warriors coach Stephen Kearney, searching for a replacement for departed halfback Shaun Johnson, gave rookie contenders Adam Keighran and Chanel Harris-Tavita equal game time. Former Penrith reserve grader Keighran played most of the first half alongside Blake Green and also had goalkicking duties, suggesting he would be handed a playmaking berth in their season opener in two weeks against Canterbury. New Tigers coach Michael Maguire split game time evenly between starting halves Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall, while Josh Reynolds featured prominently in the second spell. The Warriors led 14-6 at halftime in hot conditions in front of a loud crowd, with Maumalo scoring a double and Fusitu’a crossing once, while Brooks grabbed a four-pointer for the Tigers off a sweet offload from Sydney Roosters recruit Ryan Matterson. Fusitu’a grabbed his second and Adam Pompey scored to push the Warriors 18 points clear before Luke Garner and Esan Marsters managed consolation tries in the final five minutes. Tigers captain Moses Mbye said improvement was needed before their opening-match against Manly. “There were a lot of scrappy things around our game. Credit to the Warriors - they came with intent and outplayed us,” he said. “In a couple of weeks time, we’re playing for two points so we’ve really got to get it together.” Warriors wingers Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a scored four of the Warriors five tries. Source: FOX SPORTS Warriors counterpart Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was happy with a clinical performance and the number of players putting their hands up for starting roles. “The whole goal was to stick to our structures and just execute the plays that we had from upstairs. We can give ourselves a big tick,” he said. No apparent injuries emerged from the game. Elijah Taylor was a late Tigers withdrawal with what the club called a minor pectoral muscle injury, while Adam Blair was also pulled from the Warriors’ line-up with hamstring tightness.