Deacon left red-faced by toothless display from his Tigers
BRETT Deacon did not hold back after a tame Leicester performance left the big home support stunned.
Deacon, the assistant coach in charge during the Premiership Cup, said he was embarrassed by a display which saw Worcester lead 26-0 at half-time.
Deacon questioned his team’s attitude in that first half though the inexperienced Tigers fought back in the second to dominate.
However, by that stage a stronger Worcester team had closed out a match to win by five tries to two relying on some glorious counter-attacks in the first 40. Deacon said he was “unbelievably disappointed” and “embarrassed.”
“We did not do anything we spoke about in the week. Everything we practised and did in the week did not happen,” Deacon added.
“Whether that was because of the strength of the Worcester team, that’s probably a big factor.”
Deacon said the half-time team talk was very simple. “Ultimately, we had let everyone down and that the players had to start with their own individual mentality to actually care more.
“Nothing major tactically was said, it was more on emotion and that we had to have a reaction.”
For Worcester, victory completed a double over Leicester this season following a Premiership win 44-37. Worcester led 30-11 at half-time in that match but this time there were no second-half shocks following a first half where their counter-attacking overpowered Tigers.
Wing Bryce Heem stretched away for two tries, the second being the pick for his individual strength in shaking off the Leicester defence in a dash down the left.
That try in the 62nd minute put paid to any hopes of a Leicester comeback following a first try for the Tigers from centre Gareth Owen.
Substitute Tommy Reffell shot over for a second Leicester try in the 67th but Worcester finished camped on the Leicester line unable to force their way over.
It had been a different matter in the first half when Worcester sliced open the Tigers defence whenever they moved the ball wide. It was just too easy at times.
Ted Hill, fresh from the England training camp in Portugal, grabbed the first after Worcester had quickly established control following No.8 Fred Tuilagi dropping the kick off to give the visitors the immediate advantage.
Worcester’s second try demonstrated their speed outwide as Perry Humphreys put fly-half Duncan Weir in the clear.
In between the two tries Leicester had mounted one good attack when Tom Hardwick forged his way past Hill in midfield.
Francois Hougaard, who scampered away for Worcester’s third try in the 15th minute, pulled off a try-saving tackle on the 22metre line.
Leicester had some decent spells of possession in the first half but their ball retention was poor and Worcester fed off mistakes to launch punishing counter-attacks. The fourth try highlighted that superiority ending in a try for the impressive Heem.
The second half did not bring the same entertainment though there was a more familiar Leicester performance and Worcester had to defend fiercely when reduced to 13 men after sin bins for Anton Bresler and Darren Barry.