DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons has lavished praised on academy product Ted Hill who bagged a brace of tries as Worcester Warriors kick-started their league season with victory over Leicester Tigers.
The Sixways side pulled off a remarkable 44-37 bonus-point victory at Welford Road on Sunday to secure their first win of the Gallagher Premiership campaign.
Nineteen-year-old Hill came off the bench to score a brace on his Premiership debut as Warriors made it back-to-back wins at Welford Road in an enthralling contest.
And speaking to Warriors TV after the clash, Solomons said all of his players and staff deserved credit for the win which came 12 months after Warriors’ history-making first ever victory at Welford Road.
“Teddy is a terrific young player, it was only a matter of time before he got his opportunity and he shows he belongs at this level,” he said.
“There is a never-say-die attitude about us and we knew it was just a fine margin to cross the divide and the way Leicester came back at us speaks volumes about their resiliance.
“We need to enjoy the moment. I think that is an absolutely vital thing to do in life, don’t let it pass you by. The lads need to enjoy what they have achieved and then we start afresh,” he added.
Worcester led 30-11 at the break after a sublime first half which saw Duncan Weir bag two tries in the first six minutes before Jack Singleton and Chris Pennell added scores to secure the try-bonus point.
Hill scored early in the second half to put the game almost beyond doubt at 37-11, but a tremendous fightback from Tigers saw them level the score with just a couple of minutes remaining through tries from Jonny May, David Denton, Sione Kalamafoni and George Ford.
As the pendulum swung the way of Tigers, it looked as if the home side might be able to pinch one of the most unlikeliest comebacks in rugby history before teenager Hill leapt over in the corner at the death to seal an unforgettable day for him and Warriors.
The win lifted Warriors off the bottom of the Premiership table ahead of their trip to unbeaten Exeter Chiefs on Saturday (3pm).
Warriors’ Gallagher Premiership Christmas clash against Northampton Saints has been moved to Friday, December 21 (7.45pm) and will be live on BT Sport.
The Sixways side will then travel to Allianz Park to face Saracens on Saturday, December 29 (3pm) before hosting Bath on Saturday, January 5 (3pm).