Wasps upset Saracens at Twickenham

Editor

London Wasps produced a spirited 80-minute performance to fell reigning Aviva Premiership champions Saracens 20-15 on Saturday.

London Wasps produced a spirited 80-minute performance to shock reigning champions Saracens 20-15 at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

Penalties from Owen Farrell and Adam Powell in the opening ten minutes gave Saracens an early lead but they were unable to build on their advantage and Wasps soon forced their way back into the contest.
First, on 17 minutes Nicky Robinson kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors to within three points, and then minutes later Christian Wade added the finishing touch to a spell of slick Wasps handling and crossed for a converted try.
That score put Wasps 10-6 up and they would take a four-point advantage with them into the interval, but not before Farrell and Robinson both struck over further penalties.
The third quarter was tight, with neither side able to add to their tally until Charlie Hodgson, who had taken over the goal-kicking duties from Owen Farrell, stepped up to land his first penalty of the day.
And a second soon followed which gave Saracens a 15-13 lead. But the home side's advantage lasted less than five minutes, as Wasps quickly responded with what would be the match-winning try.
Charlie Davies made the initial break before finding Tom Varndell who did the rest. Robinson's conversion gave the visitors a five-point cushion, which they defended for the rest of the match.
Some tough defence from Wasps ensured their hosts didn't trouble the scorers any further, although Hodgson missed with a late penalty attempt for Saracens.

The scorers:

For Saracens:
Pen: Farrell 2, Powell, Hodgson 2

For Wasps:
Tries: Wade, Varndell
Con: Robinson 2
Pen: Robinson 2

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 George Kruis, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Duncan Taylor.

Wasps: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Charlie Davies, 8 John Hart, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Joe Launchbury, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Richard Birkett, 3 Ben Broster, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Morris, 17 Jeremy Castex, 18 Bob Baker, 19 James Cannon, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Richard Haughton.

Referee: JP Doyle