Published: Saturday January 5, 2013 MYT 8:03:00 AM
Updated: Saturday January 5, 2013 MYT 8:05:26 AM

Rugby: Leicester go top after late heroics sink Worcester

LONDON: Leicester climbed to the top of the Premiership in dramatic fashion after coming from behind to defeat Worcester 19-14 at Sixways on Friday.

The Tigers looked set to suffer their first defeat against Worcester since March 2006 as the hosts dominated for long periods of a gruelling encounter.

But Leicester showed their pedigree by staging a late fightback thanks to two second-half penalty tries, the second one being awarded in the final minute by referee JP Doyle.

Earlier, Worcester wing David Lemi had scored the game's opening try and three Andy Goode penalties against his former club put Warriors in control.

Leicester hit back either side of Goode being sin-binned, with wing Scott Hamilton touching down before the Tigers claimed a penalty try that England international Toby Flood converted.

Flood also missed three penalties, but he added the extras to Tigers' late clincher as Leicester moved above previous leaders Harlequins.

There was more good news for Leicester with England flanker Tom Croft playing for 50 minutes in his comeback match after suffering a neck injury last April. - AFP

English Premiership table after Friday's match

(played, won, drawn, lost, points for, points against, bonus points, total points):

Leicester 13 9 1 3 273 186 5 43

Harlequins 12 9 0 3 328 243 5 41

Saracens 12 9 1 2 245 162 2 40

Gloucester 12 7 1 4 285 241 4 34

Wasps 12 6 0 6 293 268 9 33

Northampton 12 7 0 5 237 229 4 32

Exeter 12 6 1 5 285 233 5 31

Bath 12 5 1 6 208 219 5 27

Worcester 13 4 1 8 254 264 8 26

London Welsh 12 4 0 8 205 297 4 20