Aviva Premiership: Leicester Tigers hold off Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers survived a spirited second half fightback from Worcester Warriors on their way to a 32-15 win.
Last Updated: 08/09/13 7:15pm
The Tigers made a positive start to the game and took advantage of some early indiscipline from the visitors, with Ryan Lamb knocking over the first points of the season for the champions.
Less than ten minutes later Leicester were over the line for their first try of the season to extend their advantage.
The try came after an attack down the left was followed by a deft grubber from Niall Morris, on to which Adam Thompstone pounced for a good try.
Lamb was wide with the extras but on 24 minutes he added his second penalty of the afternoon to put 11 points between the two sides.
Worcester responded five minutes before the interval when Ignacio Mieres booted over his side's first points of the campaign, but the Tigers were able to reaffirm their supremacy on the stroke of half-time.
Jordan Crane was the architect this time, breaking through the defensive line before finding David Mele, who finished the move for Lamb to convert and make it 18-3 at the half-way point.
After the yellow card was shown to Mike Williams five minutes into the second half, Leicester moved further ahead when Jordan Crane drove over the line for Lamb to add the extras.
Worcester responded through Chris Jones' try and Mieres converted, but the visitors remained 15 points adrift as the game approached the hour mark.
Josh Matavesi's try, and Worcester's second, on 66 minutes threatened to make the final ten minutes interesting, but the Tigers defence held firm before Niki Goneva's converted effort right on the whistle crowned an encouraging opening day for Leicester.