Wasps' boss Warren Gatland made a massive error in underestimating National
Division One side Pertemps Bees.
The visitors to the Causeway Stadium caused the biggest upset of the season,
stealing a four-point Powergen Cup quarter-final victory.
Gatland fielded just six first-team regulars in the starting line-up against
the on-form Bees and Wasps needed the likes of England skipper Lawrence
Dallaglio to steady the ship.
But instead it will be Pertemps Bees who will face Newcastle in the
semi-finals of the domestic cup.
The Bees took first blood with a penalty from the boot of fly-half Mark
Woodrow but throughout the first half the visitors never really looked like
threatening the Zurich Premiership champions.
Winger Michael Roberts put Wasps ahead with a try which had been bubbling
since the first whistle was blown.
Prop Will Green broke through the midfield and Tom Voyce and John Rudd spread
the run of play to the right wing.
Rudd was brought down just short of the line after an impressive try-saving
tackle from the Bees, but scrum-half Harvey Biljon switched the run of play
again and Green and Trevor Leota set up Roberts to pounce. Biljon converted.
Bees replied with a second Woodrow penalty but World Cup winner Stuart Abbott
added a second score as he chipped ahead to surprise the visitors and touch
down.
Flanker George Skivington then touched down for Wasps' third try, picking up
from the back of a ruck. But winger Nick Baxter reduced Wasps' lead just before
the break to 19-11 when Luke Nabaro burst through the midfield to set up
Baxter.
The score proved crucial, with the visitors continuing where they left off
after the restart when Wasps carelessly lost possession on their own goal line
and replacement Aaron Takarangi pounced on the ball.
Wasps just kept their noses ahead with an Ayoola Erinle try but with Biljon
missing the conversion and Woodrow adding three penalties in close succession,
the underdogs went 24-25 up.
Gatland brought on the back-up with 10 minutes to go, with Rob Howley and Mark
van Gisbergen taking over at half-backs.
The emergency efforts could not however stop the buzzing Bees, who ensured
their victory with an 80th-minute Woodrow penalty.
Teams:
Wasps (19) 24 Pertemps Bees (11) 28
Wasps: Voyce, Roberts, Erinle, Abbott, Rudd, Richards, Biljon,
Payne, Leota, Green, S. Shaw, Birkett, Skivington, Rees, Clarke.
Replacements: Haskell for Rees (52).
Not Used: Gotting, Mackenzie, Purdy, Howley, Denney,
van Gisbergen.
Tries: Roberts, Abbott, Skivington, Erinle.
Cons: Biljon 2.
Pertemps Bees: D. Knight, Nabaro, Woof, Davies, Baxter,
Woodrow, P. Knight, Tkachuk, Merritt, T. Sigley, Davidson,
Orgie, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner.
Replacements: Takarangi for Davies (33),
Walton for Davidson (60).
Not Used: Hubbleday, Long, Richardson, White, Gregory.
Tries: Baxter, Takarangi.
Pens: Woodrow 6.
Att: 4,005
Ref: Paul Honiss (New Zealand).
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