IF THERE is still a chance Worcester Warriors can avoid relegation, there is no doubt director of rugby Dean Ryan and his players will continue to believe they can stay in the Aviva Premiership.
But when Andy Goode converted Jake Copper-Woolley’s last-gasp try on Friday night to snatch a 13-11 victory it felt like the former Worcester fly half had delivered the final nail in the coffin.
For long periods it looked it was finally going to be Warriors’ day as they led 11-6 thanks to a try from flanker Sam Betty and some inspired defensive work.
But in the cruelest possible fashion – after Worcester had put their bodies on the line – Cooper-Woolley burrowed over at the death before Goode condemned his former employers to a record-equaling 22nd straight defeat in the Aviva Premiership with the last kick of the game.
With Newcastle also picking up two points away at Gloucester on Saturday, Warriors are now 12 points adrift of safety with five games remaining, but Ryan insisted his side must continue to battle on.
“Sport doesn’t necessarily give you everything you think you deserve,” he said. “But we have got to keep working and get ready to go again as we still think we have got a chance.
“We have got a tight group and everyone cares about things moving forward, but we just don’t get the rosy bits at the end, which hurts.”
Even before the game had kicked off the omens did not look good for Ryan’s men as the North Stand was forced to close after the gantry on its roof collapsed.
But Warriors certainly showed no signs of going the same way as they stood up to the challenge and got the first points on the board, with Chris Pennell firing home a penalty after eight minutes.
The hosts also appeared to be on top in the scrum as strong work by their forward pack opened up a second opportunity at the posts, which Pennell failed to dispatch.
And it was those missed chances, with Ryan Lamb also going wide with a drop goal attempt, which allowed Wasps to draw level as Goode made no mistake from the tee.
Apart from Warriors’ early burst in Wasps’ 22 and Elliot Daly’s efforts to deny Jonny Arr touching down in the corner, the ball remained in the middle of the park as both sides struggled to find a breakthrough.
Pennell missed the chance to edge his side in front just before the break and Goode once again made him pay for it as he slotted home three points at the start of the second half.
But there was still nothing between the two sides as they continued to slug it out in what was a dour encounter until Lemi produced a moment of magic.
The Samoan skipped his way through Wasps’ defence before shifting the ball inside to Betty who powered over from close range.
Lamb failed to add the extras, but the fly half soon made amends with a penalty to give Worcester a five point cushion.
And Warriors appeared to be holding out for their first win of the season as they got what seemed to be crucial line-out steal when Wasps looked to strike in the corner.
But a superb run from Chris Bell forced Warriors back once again and the pressure eventually told with Cooper-Woolley crashing through to break the hosts’ hearts, which Goode converted.