Full-back Paul Grayson steered Northampton to victory with five penalties in
this bottom-of-the-table clash.
And those priceless 15 points took the former England stand-off to within just
three points of the 2,000 mark for the club.
It was Saints' second successive win while Wasps were chasing a third success
on the trot as both sides battle to drag themselves out of the Zurich
Premiership basement.
And it was a warm welcome for Northampton's new coach Wayne Smith, the former
All-Blacks boss who only took over on Monday.
He has promised there will be no magic wand to send the former European
champions climbing up the table and it was only in the final quarter that Wasps
wilted.
And in fact, they led 10-6 until just before the interval with the simplest of
tries from centre Mark Denney converted by Alex King who also kicked a penalty.
But on the stroke of half-time, Saints' young fly-half James Brooks stole a
crucial try when the Wasps scrum came under pressure close to their line and
full back Josh Lewsey failed to gather Martyn Wood's pass.
It was a battle of attrition with both sides knowing that a win was critical
and Saints, roared on by a 9,000 crowd, saw themselves home with three
second-half penalties from Grayson and a Brooks drop goal.
Northampton suffered a setback after only nine minutes when Scotland centre
John Leslie limped off injured.
But before half-time they were able to bring on a fit-again Matt Dawson for
his first game in a month, while their Scotland captain Budge Pountney was back
in action after a seven-week lay-off.
Wasps had their moment, but they lacked the cutting edge in a game dominated
by two ferocious defences.
Teams:
Northampton: Grayson, Beal, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen, Brooks,
Malone, Smith, Thompson, Stewart, Phillips, Brouzet, Rennick,
Pountney, Hunter.
Replacements: Tucker for Leslie (14), Dawson for Malone (35),
Richmond for Thompson (79), Newman for Phillips (59),
Soden for Hunter (64).
Not Used: Budgen, Shaw.
Tries: Brooks
Pens: Grayson 5
Drop Goals: Brooks
Wasps: Lewsey, Waters, Abbott, Denney,
Logan, A. King, Wood,
Dowd, Greening, W. Green, Shaw, Jones, Jenkins, Worsley, Lock.
Replacements: Friday for Wood (54), Leota for Greening (58),
Beardshaw for Jones (71).
Not Used: Leek, Scrase, Allen, Mackenzie.
Tries: Denney
Cons: A. King
Pens: A. King
Att: 8,739
Ref: Ashley Rowden (RFU).
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