WELFORD Road - home of England’s champions and an intimidating prospect for any who dare pay a visit. With wins in the Tigers' past sixteen home encounters, it would seem an understandably tall order for any side looking for points at Leicester’s new look stadia.
Worcester Warriors did however gain their second bonus point of the season at the champions on Saturday but did so surrendering to a third loss out of three on the road.
Mike Ruddock’s men remain sixth in the Premiership splitting the league table after the season’s fifth round, but fall five points behind their weekend’s opponents Leicester who lie just above in fifth.
Astoundingly, it was Worcester who found themselves ahead within the final quarter of their match against the Tigers as fly-half Willie Walker scored on 62 minutes.
And if not for the consistent boot of his opposing number Jeremy Staunton, the Warriors may have been looking at a remarkable away win over their current mid table rivals. Worcester saw out the final minutes to settle for the losing bonus point – replacement Johnny Arr the man to kick Warrior possession into the stands prompting the final whistle.
Sunday saw fellow West Country side Gloucester return victorious from Headingly in their game away to new boys Leeds, and, although their win propels them up the table, the losing bonus point awarded to Worcester still separates the two sides.
Is this clever use of the bonus point system or is Worcester’s glass seemingly half empty this term? After avoiding the drop last season it would appear that the club’s first priority is to still be playing top flight rugby this time next year. Should this be the case, however, if the side are to build on their so far good home form at Sixways?
It would be believed that a side preferring the losing bonus point over a possible away win have had a huge loss of ambition. Welford Road is a formidable fortress to all who make the trip, admittedly, but will remain that way in the foreseeable future if its visitors fail to front up.
The bonus point was instilled to encourage more tries and closer encounters, so, where a team have victory in their sights, it seems irresponsible not to go for the win, even if your opponent is notorious for rampaging over teams.
Leicester’s slow start has seen them yet to ignite their unyielding form of last season, but while the club is momentarily flagging, sides still remain content not to take their game to the Welford Road outfit. The bonus point aims to keep teams ambitious home and away. Unfortunately, if it is abused, the game’s competitive edge may well be taken away altogether.
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