It had been built up as the return of England captains past and present - but
under the watchful gaze of Clive Woodward, Alex King took the plaudits as
Leicester suffered their first defeat since November.
Lawrence Dallaglio's first start of the season coincided with Wasps' best
performance, and their skipper was an inspiration from start to finish.
In contrast, Martin Johnson was on his best behaviour coming back from
suspension, even though his team were badly out-played and their leader could
not galvanise any greater effort.
King has long been discarded as an England candidate but turned in a perfect
performance with the boot to land seven penalties and two drop goals to finish
with 27 points.
Leicester did manage to prevent Wasps grabbing a try, but it was little
consolation to coach Dean Richards, whose last taste of defeat came with a
weakened team at Leeds during the autumn international programme.
It is not likely to prevent the Tigers securing a fourth successive Zurich
Premiership title some time next month, but it will do wonders for Wasps in
their battle to avoid the drop.
The Londoners have staggered from one crisis to another in Dallaglio's
absence.
But, restored to full fitness, the mighty number eight provided the direction
and drive which has been lacking on the field for the past six months.
The ultimate professional, he even knows how to wind the opposition up
properly, rolling the ball irritatingly away from Austin Healey after the home
side had conceded a penalty.
Healey had a shocker, twice penalised for holding onto the ball in his own
half, fumbling possession and then seeing a speculative pass intercepted by
Fraser Waters which would have resulted in a try had Tim Stimpson not raced 50
metres to haul the centre down within touching distance of the try line.
Healey's opposite number King remains a steady, if unspectacular performer.
Kenny Logan's is a more flamboyant presence, but between them they landed a
perfect 10 successive penalties to put Leicester on the rack.
Fittingly, Logan was happy enough to boot home the long range efforts, with
King slotting over the bread and butter chances and having the awareness to take
the drop goal opportunities as they arrived.
With only one defeat since their opening day reverse, at Newcastle, the losing
feeling is not a familiar one in the Leicester camp.
They had gone in front in the third minute when Freddie Tuilagi took advantage
of Paul Volley's failure to gather possession from Glenn Gelderbloom's
speculative kick, and eased further ahead with a Tim Stimpson penalty
immediately after King's opening effort.
Stimpson failed only once, but his team did not give him enough chances and
were clearly rattled by Wasps' abrasive approach.
Rod Kafer did his side few favours when he sent King sprawling under the
visitors' posts as Andy Goode tried to run the ball to safety from the dead ball
area.
The Australian centre started to head off the field, believing he was about to
receive a yellow card, only to be hauled back for a stern lecture instead.
Healey was growing increasingly agitated, having moved to scrum-half following
the introduction of Andy Goode.
The England man thought he had been the victim of a knee to the side of his
head as he tried to put pressure on Martyn Wood at a scrum, then was caught by
the Wasps' man's elbow as he gave him a retaliatory shove.
In the meantime, King was widening the home side's lead with unerring
regularity.
Logan banged over his third penalty from the touchline, before Steve Booth
produced panic among the home support with a try in the corner, which Stimpson
converted.
But Wasps kept their heads, which is more than could be said for Leicester
prop Darren Garforth, who watched the closing stages from the dug-out after
receiving a yellow card for a wild swipe at Will Green.
Teams:
Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser, Waters, Abbott, Logan, A. King, Wood,
W. Green, Leota, Dowd, Shaw, Jones, Worsley, Volley, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Sampson for Lewsey (80), Denney for Abbott (60),
Greening for Leota (71), Mackenzie for Dowd (77),
Lock for Volley (80).
Not Used: Friday, Beardshaw.
Pens: A. King 7, Logan 3.
Drop Goals: A. King 2.
Sin Bin: Leota (16).
Leicester: Stimpson, Booth, Gelderbloom, Kafer, Tuilagi,
Healey, Hamilton, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay,
Kronfeld, Back, Corry.
Replacements: Lloyd for Kafer (68), Grindal for Healey (76),
Goode for Hamilton (53), Freshwater for Rowntree (67),
Cockerill for West (67), Balding for Kronfeld (67).
Not Used: W. Johnson.
Tries: Tuilagi, Booth.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 4.
Sin Bin: Garforth (69).
Att: 9,621
Ref: Robin Goodliffe (Sheffield).
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