Wasps gave the majority of the 10,000 crowd a perfect festive result by
defeating reigning Premiership champions Leicester.
Adams Park was packed out for the first time ever - and Wasps are fast making
the venue a fortress having lost just once at home once since their move to High
Wycombe over the summer.
The win not only hands Warren Gatland's side a major confidence boost with a
tough run of games on the agenda in the New Year - it also moves Wasps above
Leicester and Northampton in the table.
The home side began well, dominating territory and converting an early penalty
courtesy of Alex King, but it was Leicester who underlined their championship
credentials with a superb counter-attack try.
Martin Johnson made vital space under the cosh after the Tigers took a short
defensive lineout, with forward Josh Kronfeld carrying the ball on further
before passing inside to scrum-half Harry Ellis, who charged upfield to score.
Tim Stimpson converted.
But Wasps kept on pushing forward and Alex King converted a 38th-minute
penalty after the sin-binning of Adam Balding.
Leicester retained the lead at the break with a Stimpson penalty but Wasps
returned to the field even more fired up. Immediately they had an attacking
lineout on Leicester's 22 and the hosts made the most of it.
After driving forward the ball was moved out wide and King took the
opportunity to snatch a crucial drop goal to reduce the Tigers' lead to just one
point.
Leicester again reasserted their authority with a second penalty after the
sin-binning of Trevor Leota but Wasps were not going to give up.
This time they responded with a superb try by winger Josh Lewsey, who also
benefited from good work from on-form centre Stuart Abbott. King converted to
put the home side 16-13 up.
The fly-half then stretched Wasps' lead further with a 65-minute penalty
before Welsh international and British Lion Rob Howley darted over Leicester's
try line to catch the visitors unaware. King converted to seal the victory.
Teams:
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Waters, Abbott, Rudd, A. King,
Howley, Dowd, Leota, W. Green, Shaw, Birkett, Worsley, Volley,
Dallaglio.
Replacements: Wood, Logan, Denney, Gotting, Scrivener, Kershaw,
Purdy.
Tries: Lewsey, Howley.
Cons: A. King 2.
Pens: A. King 3.
Drop Goals: A. King.
Leicester: Stimpson, Holtby,
Smith, Kafer, Tuilagi, Vesty,
Ellis, Jelley, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, W. Johnson,
Kronfeld, Balding.
Replacements: Chuter, Tournaire, Back, Deacon, Tierney,
Gelderbloom, Raynor.
Tries: Ellis.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 2.
Att: 10,000
Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU).
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