Leicester finally brought their run of five consecutive defeats to an end at
Welford Road, claiming the scalp of Zurich Premiership champions London
Wasps.
The match saw an emotional farewell for Tigers full-back Tim Stimpson, who
leaves for French club Perpignan next week.
Despite not being able to play because of a knee injury, he received a loud
and lengthy standing ovation from both sets of supporters when brought on to the
pitch at half-time.
Earlier, the home side shot out of the blocks into an early 6-0 lead after two
penalties from fly-half Ramiro Pez, the second from right on the halfway line -
Wasps having started the game ominously as Mark Van Gisbergen's kick-off crossed
the dead ball line.
Leicester applied the pressure, and after Pez had punted a penalty fully 60
metres to the left corner, from the resulting line out the hosts scored the
opening try of the match - Welsh hooker Jim Richards being driven over from a
rolling maul in his first start.
Pez converted from out wide on the left, but three quickfire penalties from
his Wasps counterpart Van Gisbergen got the visitors back to within four points
- his low driving goal kicking style working effectively.
Pez was wide of the mark with a long drop goal and then a penalty attempt, but
his side were soon further ahead when England Sevens wing Neil Baxter marked his
debut with a spectacular try in the right corner after a flowing move started
all the way back on the Tigers' 22.
Full-back Austin Healey caught a clearance kick, worked the ball left to
Freddie Tuilagi who made 40 metres down the wing.
The ball was then spun right through the hands, former All Black centre Daryl
Gibson offloading well to countryman Josh Kronfeld who slotted a kick through,
which Baxter finished off for the try.
Pez added the extras, with a penalty for the Italian and two more for Van
Gisbergen completing the first-half scoring, as Leicester led 23-15 at the
interval.
A fifth penalty for Pez eight minutes into the second half extended the home
side's advantage, but he then proceeded to slice a kickable attempt moments
later.
From their next penalty he turned down the shot at goal and went for touch -
the resulting lineout seeing scrum-half Harry Ellis dive for the line, only to
be held up.
With the hosts enjoying territory and possession, Healey took the chance for a
snap drop goal to nudge his side further ahead.
When Wasps centre Fraser Waters broke in the 22 and fell just short, from the
subsequent recycle the ball went left to his centre partner Mark Denney to go
over in the left corner for their only try of the match - Van Gisbergen
converting well.
Pez erred with a penalty from the 22, and then a drop goal attempt, but with
three minutes to go found his range again with a long penalty to take his side
10 points to the good - a lead they held as Van Gisbergen missed with an
injury-time penalty which would have earned the champions a bonus point.
The final whistle followed soon after, with Leicester finally bringing to an
end their miserable run of results in the absence of their World Cup stars,
while Wasps come back to earth with a bump following a recent purple patch.
Teams:
Leicester:
Healey, Baxter, Smith, Gibson, F. Tuilagi, Pez,
Ellis, Rowntree, Richards, Morris, L. Deacon, Campbell,
W. Skinner, Kronfeld, Balding.
Replacements: Vesty for Pez (78), B. Deacon for W. Skinner (65).
Not Used: Chuter, Nebbett, H. Tuilagi, Booth, Abraham.
Tries: Richards, Baxter.
Cons: Pez 2.
Pens: Pez 5.
Drop Goals: Healey.
Wasps: Voyce, Roiser, Waters, Denney, Rudd, van Gisbergen,
Howley, Payne, Greening, Dowd, Purdy, Birkett, Volley,
O'Connor, Lock.
Replacements: Erinle for Denney (68), Leota for Greening (62),
Skivington for Birkett (49).
Tries: Denney.
Cons: van Gisbergen.
Pens: van Gisbergen 5.
Not Used: Richards, Haskell, Scrivener, Mackenzie.
Att: 15,384
Ref: Ashley Rowden (RFU).
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