Wasps made sure they gave their fans something to cheer
about beating Premiership champions Northampton Saints 20 – 16 at Adams Park.
After losing narrowly against Saracens last weekend and to
beat a side that scored eight tries against Gloucester, Wasps showed their
strength to pull off and out play the visitors to secure this famous win.
Ashley Johnson and Tom Varndell two tries within two minutes
stung the reigning champions in a hard fought battle which saw two questionable
yellow cards.
Saints started the first 10 minutes quickly and made sure
they were putting pressure on the Wasps defence and after winning penalties in their
22 with fly – half Stephen Myler kicking to the corner twice in succession, but
the Wasps defence lead by captain James Haskell was unmoved.
Myler was the first to draw blood on 10 minutes with a
penalty after the Northampton scrum got the better of their hosts to cap off their
great start to the game.
Afterwards Wasps started fighting back with some high tempo play
of their own, which caught out the visitors who showed some ill – discipline
with Andy Goode pointing to the posts twice. His first attempt drew them level
on 18 minutes, but could get his kick on target to give them the lead eight
minutes later.
Northamptons and Wasps ill – discipline continued in the
lineout after flanker Johnson was seen to have tackled Alex Cobisiero late with
props retaliation boiling over into handbags at dawn between the two sides. Referee Luke Pearce sent both players to the
sin bin which was unpopular from both sets of fans.
Before the half Wasps made their best play of the half with
Varndell flying down the left flank to get the crowd on their feet, but Saints fullback
James Wilson was able to stop the 29 year old to score the first try of the
game and the away side were able to overturn the ball on their 22.
Half – Time – Wasps 3 – 3 Northampton Saints
Northampton started the second half better after Myler
missed a penalty, George North looked to have carved a lead picking up
Ken Pisi chip on the 47th minute but the winger was ruled offside
but referee Pearce did bring back play for an earlier penalty and Myler made it
6 – 3.
Myler made it 9 – 3 after a powerful rolling maul resulted in
another penalty, however, their six – point lead was short lived with Wasps ending
the wait for a try just before the hour mark through flanker Johnson.
After some quick passing wide from Saints the ball got to centre
Luther Burrell, who was looking to the wing, however, Johnson was able to be
one – step ahead and intercept the pass to have an easy run to the try line.
Replacement fly – half Ruaridh Jackson added a fantastic
conversion from the right touchline to put the Wasps in the lead and they
extend it further within two minutes.
After some quick passing out wide Varndell pulled off a
brilliant chip – and – chase and Jackson made it two from two with the boot to
extend Wasps lead 17 – 9.
With Jackson focused off with an injury with kicking duties
were with Jackson’s replacement Rob Miller and carried on where his teammate
left scoring a penalty in the 73rd minute.
Northampton gave the Wasps a scare with Ben Foden scoring a
late try and was converted by Myler but the home side stayed strong and made sure
the events of last week weren’t going to repeat and secured a famous and shock
win.
Scorecard
10 mins – S Myler
(Pen) 0 – 3
18 mins – A Goode
(Pen) 3 – 3
48 mins – S
Myler (Pen) 3 – 6
54 mins – S
Myler (Pen) 3 – 9
59 mins – A Johnson
(Try) 8 – 9
60 mins – R Jackson
(Con) 10 – 9
61 mins – T Varndell
(Try) 15 – 9
63 mins – R Jackson
(Con) 17 – 9
73 mins – R Miller
(Pen) 20 – 9
78 mins – B Foden
(Try) 20 – 14
78 mins – S Myler
(Con) 20 - 16
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