Worcester 22 Coventry 31

THE sight of Sateki Tuipulotu running back, head in hands, could yet be the enduring image of Worcester's season after their disastrous 31-22 mauling by Coventry.

With nine minutes left and Worcester trailing 23-22, the Tongan lined up a penalty, less than 10 metres out and in front of the posts, bidding to complete his side's comeback from an afternoon of abject misery.

Somehow though, the body shape changed, the kick sailed wide and Worcester went on to lose the match in what was a shocking defeat. It was, without doubt, the final turning point in the game which Coventry so deservedly won.

Worcester were poor from the first whistle to the last and a clued-up Coventry not only had the skill to take advantage but also the tactical nous to pull off a momentous victory for the men from Coundon Lane. They should be applauded for their approach and manner in which they claimed the National One win which leaves Worcester's promotion bid in tatters. That the home side were so bad should not detract credit from Coventry. They were undoubtedly the better team on the day and that, more than anything, will have coach John Brain worried.

How can a professional side, which beat Rotherham in the last home fixture, be so completely outplayed by an amateur, middle-of-the-table outfit? That is a question he will, no doubt, be asking his squad this week as he puts them through their paces on the training ground.

Unlike in other home matches this season, Worcester looked lethargic from the off and conceded a try within two minutes. The dominant Elisi Vunipola created the opening for flanker Jon Koloi to touch down and give Martyn Davies an easy conversion. If the crowd thought it would be a mere blip in a game of Worcester domination, they were in for a shock. Tuipulotu's eighth minute penalty brought Worcester back into the game and the match seemed to have turned in their favour soon after when Coventry's Lee Crofts was sin-binned after a fracas with Alejandro Moreno.

Worcester powered forward and finally got their reward when, following a Ben Hinshelwood and Chris Garrard surge, Martin Morgan went over for his second try in as many games as the Gold'n'Blues led for the first time 8-7.

The pendulum swung again, however, 12 minutes later when referee Robin Goodliffe finally lost patience with Moreno and yellow carded the Argentine prop. Davies slotted over the resulting penalty and Coventry re-took the lead. And it just got better for the visitors as Simon Brocklehurst took advantage of crisp passing from Vunipola to score a well-worked converted try as Coventry went into half-time 17-8 ahead.

The lead was extended with two more Davies penalties early in the second half before Worcester, staring at their first defeat of the season, finally woke up.

With few options either side, Chris Yates decided to take things into his own hands and, after blasting past two tackles, scored to put Worcester back in touch. Tuipulotu's superb conversion set up the comeback. It looked even more likely with 17 minutes left as, after a fine Dan Zaltzman pass, Aussie Garrard flew in on the right to get the Coventry nerves jangling. They were soon stretched to the limit once Tuipulotu's conversion sailed over to make it 23-22.

But that was as good as it got, though, for Worcester. After Tuipulotu's miss of all misses, Davies kicked a penalty of his own to stretch the advantage to four points. And with Yates looking for the Hail Mary pass to open up the Coventry defence, wily Kurt Johnson intercepted and ran 40 metres before ending the game as a contest amid wild celebrations from the visitors.

The sight of crowds pouring out of Sixways before the final whistle will have hardly have cheered chairman Cecil Duckworth just six games into the season. And although it is too early to say the campaign is over, the reality is that Worcester are already well behind the eight ball.

The talk at Worcester has been very impressive so far this season but on Saturday, Coventry made the loudest noise where it matters - on the pitch.

Worcester: Tuipulotu 6, Garrard 6, Hinshelwood 5, Yates 6, Stanley 6, Yapp 5, NSMITH 7; Windo 6, Ross 6, Moreno 4, Zaltzman 6, Morgan 6, Evans 6, Jones 6, Clarke 6.

Replacements: Moncrieff 5 (Smith 40), Roke 6 (Hinshelwood 60), Hall (Moncrieff 80), Davis, Collins 6 (Moreno 68), Sims, Jenner 6 (Evans 60).

Man of the match: RICHARD SMITH - one player who always looked to make something happen despite his lack of options.