DELIGHTED boss Alan Solomons hailed his players’ “never-say-die attitude” after Worcester Warriors withstood a stirring Leicester Tigers fightback to clinch a thrilling 44-37 victory at Welford Road.

Leicester looked set to deny Warriors a first win of the Premiership campaign when they came back from 37-11 down to draw level.

But in the final play of an absorbing Midlands derby Worcester-born teenager Ted Hill crossed in the corner to secure a memorable triumph.

“It was absolutely unbelievable,” said Solomons whose side moved off the bottom of the table and climbed to ninth position.

“Before the game we spoke about playing to our potential, being the best we can be and that’s what that side did.

“We have got some talented players and we have not been finishing in the last three games but we finished this time.”

Two converted tries from Duncan Weir gave Warriors a 14-0 lead inside the first seven minutes.

Chris Pennell and Jack Singleton also went over in the first half as Worcester opened up a 19-point lead at half-time.

Hill put his side further in front when he touched down at the start of the second period and Pennell converted but Leicester refused to give in.

Jonny May, David Denton, Jordan Olowofela and George Ford all struck as Tigers levelled the match at 37-37 with four minutes left.

But Hill, a former Worcester Sixth Form College student and Warriors’ academy player, scored the match-winning try on his Premiership debut.

“I thought it may end up being a draw as the momentum had swung with them,” Solomons said.

“We struggled with our lineouts towards the end.

“We lost three key lineouts but there is a never-say-die attitude about us.

“The way they came back just speaks volumes for their resilience.

“It was a fantastic performance by the players.

“But everybody deserves credit — the staff, the players, the board, the whole lot.”

Weir played a starring role in the victory, racking up 22 points including two tries but Solomons added: “To have a man of the match when you have a performance like that is not right.

“It is a team so there is no man of the match.

“Duncan is a terrific player. He manages the game well and is a brave, gutsy player.

“We are very lucky to have him and when he went off for a HIA (head injury assessment) we had a player of the calibre of Jono (Lance) who stepped onto the field and did an excellent job for those 10 minutes.”

Worcester will now prepare for another daunting challenge as they face second-placed Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday (3pm) but Solomons said his squad would be in buoyant spirits after their maiden win.

“(The victory) lifts the mood,” Solomons added.

“I know things have been tough.

“We were just so close but now we have crossed that divide.

“Obviously Exeter are a wonderful side. I watched them the other night against Newcastle (24-17 win for Exeter) so it will be a massive challenge for us.

“But there are no easy games. Every weekend is tough and you have got to be ready for it.”