THERE was “nothing” Bryce Heem “could do” to avoid the incident which saw him get sent off against Wasps, insists Worcester Warriors teammate Josh Adams.

Heem was brandished a red card by referee Luke Pearce for tackling Wasps back Willie Le Roux in the air in Warriors’ 40-33 defeat at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

The challenge was deemed “reckless” by the RFU’s disciplinary panel and the wing was handed a two-match ban after pleading guilty to the charge.

However, Adams has defended the 28-year-old, insisting "his eyes were on the ball” when Roux jumped to gather the ball at the start of the second half.

“Obviously playing a team like Wasps with 14 men was always going to be tough,” Adams said.

“His eyes were on the ball and there was nothing he could do. It could have been anyone (in that situation).

“Things like that happen and we are prepared for it.”

After Heem opened the scoring on five minutes, Adams struck either side of Christian Wade’s try to give Warriors a 19-12 lead.

Wade added a second just before the break and when Heem was given his marching orders Wasps made the numerical advantage count.

Alapati Leiua, Josh Bassett and Brendan Macken went over to put the hosts 40-19 in front.

But 14-man Warriors salvaged two bonus points thanks to late tries from Biyi Alo and Jackson Willison.

The result moved Worcester nine points clear of bottom club Bristol with four games remaining.

Adams said it was an “incredible achievement” to get within seven points of the league leaders who have scored almost 200 points in 18 games.

“To have 14 players on the field against the best attacking team in the league we showed great resilience in defence,” said the 21-year-old.

“There were a couple of times on our own line where we really dug deep, hit hard and managed to turn the ball over once or twice.

“That really gave us those two bonus points at the end and turned the game a little bit.

“It might have (looked like we had won the game) with the way we were jumping up off the bench.

“But to go down to 14 men, get the four-try bonus point which is fantastic and then get a losing bonus point as well against top of the league is an incredible achievement.”

Adams’ brace takes his tally up to 12 this season with five of those coming in 14 of his appearances in the top flight.

But the Welshman was disappointment to have squandered a chance for his side when he spilled Ryan Mills’ long pass which was intended for Heem.

“It is nice to score as a winger,” said Heem.

“Personally, I had a ropey start as I dropped the ball when I should have left it for Bryce, but things like that happen.

“You can never have a perfect game. I think I was a bit greedy and had a little bit of white-line fever, thinking about getting another try.

“But I managed to pick myself up and just focused on the next job.

“After an error you have to try and do whatever comes next to the best of your ability.”