A LAST-gasp try ended Worcester Wanderers’ 100 per cent record in Midlands Two West (South) as they suffered a narrow 18-17 defeat at Earlsdon.

The Sixways side managed to out-score their hosts by three tries to two but, ultimately, it was in vain as, despite having plenty of ball and territory, they failed to convert their chances.

Wanderers were under pressure from the kick-off as the Earlsdon forwards swarmed all over them.

However, they weathered the storm and created an opening for Luke Denton, who took his chance well to score in the corner. James Price missed the conversion.

Earlsdon came back, though, as unforced errors from the visitors led to frustration and two penalties, which the home fly-half contrived to miss. The Earlsdon kicker didn’t waste the third opportunity he was presented with, though, and pulled back three points.

Wanderers, seemingly stung into action, enjoyed a period of territorial advantage and created two excellent try-scoring opportunities, but poor decision-making meant the chances went begging.

The half was drawing to a close when a deft kick in behind the Wanderers defence by the Earlsdon fly-half led to a try wide on the right, which was duly converted.

The second-half began with a reinvigorated Wanderers camped in the Earlsdon 22.

Infringements from the home team were plentiful as Wanderers battered their try line, but the vital score proved elusive.

The pressure was soon rewarded with a quick-fire brace of tries from Chris Griffiths and Kieran Morris, one of which was converted by Mike James.

However, it was Earlsdon who took the honours with a penalty following a collapsed scrum and a try from the last play of the game.