Wasps cast aside their indifferent form to send Leeds crashing
to their first home defeat of the season.
The Tykes have turned Headingley into a fortress this season but despite
producing a performance full of their customary grit and determination they
could not overcome a powerful Wasps outfit.
Alex King was in commanding form at fly-half for the London club, booting eight
points and showing his finishing skills to outwit Tykes full-back Dan Scarbrough
for the first try of the match.
Josh Lewsey added another in the 39th minute as the visitors built up a lead
they never relinquished, despite the best efforts of Braam van Straaten, whose
pinpoint kicking kept Leeds in touch throughout.
The Tykes finished bottom of the Zurich Premiership last season but some
shrewd signings over the summer by coach Phil Davies has seen his side become
title contenders.
The likes of Diego Albanese, Gordon Ross, Mark Regan and George Harder have
added the firepower that was lacking in their first top-flight campaign.
They were totally outgunned here however as Wasps beat them at their own
game, playing with the commitment needed to beat a Leeds side who rarely know
when they are beaten
Wasps looked the stronger side from the start. They made all the early running
and nearly crossed in the left corner after five minutes but their forwards, who
capitalised fully on some slick handling in the backs, were held up over the
line.
A penalty quickly followed however and King made no mistake, slotting over his
kick despite the tricky angle.
The visitors continued to threaten with full-back Lewsey making a fine break
down the right wing but he was eventually hauled down and a promising move was
brought to a halt.
Leeds hardly ventured out of their own half, starved off possession by a
rampant Wasps pack who poured forward at every available opportunity and their
efforts were rewarded in the 19th minute.
King, with Lewsey on his shoulder in support, ran onto a Rob Howley pass and
made a neat jink in front of Tykes full-back Scarbrough before touching down
under the posts.
He converted his try but Leeds then notched their first points of the
afternoon, former South Africa international van Straaten stroking over a
long-range penalty.
The Tykes looked in danger of going further behind in the 27th minute when
centre Fraser Waters blasted through the Leeds midfield but his pass to Lewsey
failed to find its mark.
Another penalty from van Straaten pulled the home side within four points but
Wasps were still on top with King looking dangerous every time he touched the
ball.
Wasps bagged their second try a minute before half-time when a sweeping move
down the right flank was concluded by Lewsey, who forced his way over in the
corner.
A van Straaten penalty five minutes after the interval saw the Tykes close to
within three but three more points from the boot of King kept his side in the
driving seat.
Leeds went in search of a winning score as the match neared its conclusion but
they could not break through the Wasps defence, although they finished their
afternoon's work with a bonus point for keeping their defeat within seven
points.
Teams:
Leeds: Scarborough, Hall, Davies, van Straaten, Albanese, Ross,
Hegarty, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer, Popham,
Ponton, Fea'unati.
Not Used: Holt, Rawlinson, Campbell, Hogg, Dickens, Emmerson,
Stanley.
Pens: van Straaten 5.
Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser, Waters,
Abbott, Logan, A. King, Howley,
Dowd, Leota, W. Green, Shaw, Birkett, Lock, Volley, Scrivener.
Not Used: Wood, van Gisbergen, Denney, Gotting, Beardshaw,
McCarthy, Mackenzie.
Tries: A. King, Lewsey.
Cons: A. King.
Pens: A. King 2.
Att: 4,751
Ref: Ashley Rowden (RFU).
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