Wasps
20 - 16 Northampton Saints
For
the first time in five years, Wasps can boast a brilliant stinging of
Northampton Saints.
It
was a mammoth shift at the office for the home side and one that will
be remembered for years to come, by them and their jubilant fans.
“I
thought for eighty minutes we stood toe-to-toe with the Champions”
“You
don't get the opportunity to celebrate after playing Northampton very
often”
said
Dai Young, Wasps Director of Rugby.
It
was definitely a game of two halves. The first, highlighting the
shock absorbing strength of the Wasps defence as they concentrated
the Saints pack into the centre of the pitch, as they attempted to
play a narrow game. The boot of Stephen Myler kicked the first
points of the game but in a tight tense first half, Andy Goode then
equalised when Northampton were penalised for being off side.
The
defence of the home side remained remarkably resilient, with the
power of Captain James Haskell taking his tackle count to another
level. But neither side found a faultless line out or found touch.
The ball went back and forth like a ping pong ball, it was
relentless.
Then
an off the ball tackle from Ashley Johnson on Alex Corbisiero in a
lineout, resulted in the Northampton prop retaliating and both being
sin binned with just over ten minutes to go until half time.
It
was frustrating to watch with the score not reflecting the mounting
effort - still at three a piece.
But
you couldn't deny the Wasps were ferocious in attack … and defence.
Veteran Andy Goode controlled the game well and Wasps ended the
first half looking the more intent to score.
HT
Wasps 3 - 3 Northampton Saints
Back
out and Wasps were tenacious, tormenting the Champions at every given
turn. A drop goal attempt by Goode failed but equally Myler missed a
penalty and the two sides were still level pegging.
A
credible chip from Ken Pisi was chased by George North, who crossed
the try line but the offload was ruled marginally forward and no try
awarded. However, Myler didn't hesitate to kick the points to take
the lead and his boot subsequently kicked another three points
moments later. 3-9
But
then in the blink of an eye, Wasps scored fourteen points within
minutes. An interception from Ashley Johnson off a pass from Luther
Burrell to Ken Pisi saw the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young Wasp,
put on a sprint to score in the corner and Adams Park were on their
feet!
The
second try was from a kick and chase from the swift and reliable Tom
Varndell in the opposite corner and Ruaridh Jackson cleanly converted
both tries. It was sensational to watch. The Wasps were buzzin!
Northampton attempted to boulder their way through the Wasps defence but not even Samu Manoa managed it as he peeled off the back of a maul to be brought to the ground by scrum-half, Joe Simpson. Were the Saints going to dissolve like a sugar cube in a cup of tea?
Although
the Wasps were caught-off guard enabling Ben Foden to score and Myler
to convert, with one minute left on the clock, it was nothing more
than the consolation prize of a losing bonus point.
The
Saints played until the dying moment of the game but it was to no
effect against a resilient and resolute Wasps side.
Wasps
truly deserved the win and I'm in no doubt they'll be ones to watch
this season as they continue to improve their game plan, as Dai Young
quite rightly said;
“You've
got to walk before you can run and obviously there's still things to
improve on but in two weeks we've played against the best two teams
probably in the Aviva Premiership... it shows we're certainly going
in the right direction”
They
certainly are …. Watch this space!!
FT
Wasps 20 - 16 Northampton Saints
