WORCESTER Warriors pushed unbeaten league leaders Ealing Trailfinders all the way in a cruel 34-33 defeat.
A last gasp penalty from Will Reed struck the post which denied Worcester a memorable win against the defending league champions and current table toppers.
Worcester came away from the fixture with two bonus points after running in five tries at Trailfinders Sports Club.
And Warriors almost clinched the points at the death only to be denied by the thinnest of margins as Reed’s kick agonisingly struck the post.
The result means Worcester sit third in the Champ Rugby table.
Despite a strong start from the visitors, Ealing crossed for the game’s first try when Scott Buckley forced his way over from a driving maul on eight minutes.
And the home side struck again just two minutes later as Francis Moore intercepted a pass and ran to the line from inside his own half.
However, Worcester responded on 13 minutes when Billy Twelvetrees charged down an attempted box kick and pounced on the loose ball to score.
And Warriors drew level on the 20-minute mark as Austin Wallis burrowed over from a tap-and-go penalty from close range.
A penalty from Dan Jones edged Ealing back in front only for Obinna Nkwocha to dot down from the restart on 25 minutes to put Worcester ahead.
The lead changed hands again six minutes before the break when Ealing captain Josh Taylor touched down close to the right corner.
However, Warriors went into the break with a four-point lead as Juan Gonzalez collected his own chip and chase and passed to Josh Bassett who scored the away side’s bonus point try on debut.
Ealing reclaimed the lead eight minutes into the second period when Buckley crossed for his second of the game from another driving maul.
Worcester responded on 65 minutes when Roma Zheng claimed a high ball and danced past an Ealing defender before racing over the line.
However, the home side hit back three minutes later as Craig Hampson sniped over from the base of a ruck to put Ealing one point in front.
Ealing lost Hampson to the sin-bin five minutes from time for a high tackle on Tom Hendrickson to hand Warriors a chance to win the game.
However, Reed’s kick hit the post and Ealing held on in the remaining minutes as Warriors began the year with a defeat.
Worcester are next in action against Hartpury on Saturday, January 24 with kick-off at 2pm at Sixways Stadium.
