Wasps turned in a workmanlike display to record their first victory of the
season over a committed Leeds outfit in the Zurich Premiership.
The highlight of the game came from former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio
who did a fine impersonation of Jonny Wilkinson by nailing a 25-metre drop goal
after half an hour, before being forced off with a rib injury.
Wasps dominated territory in the first half but Leeds were kept in touch
through the boot of Scottish international stand-off Gordon Ross.
Leeds started at a ferocious pace, tearing into Wasps at the breakdown and
harrying Matt Dawson around the base of the rucks and mauls.
Ross opened the scoring after three minutes when Wasps were caught offside in
the midfield.
Wasps fly-half Alex King levelled the scores at 3-3 after 12 minutes.
Ross missed a penalty attempt a minute later and Wasps made Leeds pay on 15
minutes when Tom Voyce made a searing break down the left-hand touchline.
Prop Will Green showed tremendous pace in support and took the inside pass
from Voyce to go over for the try. King converted from the left of the posts.
Ross struck his second penalty to make the score 10-6 to Wasps five minutes
later.
Leeds scrum-half Alan Dickens was sin-binned on 24 minutes for an infringement
at the breakdown.
Dallaglio proceeded to punish 14-man Leeds with his outrageous drop goal
shortly after. There are many ways to silence a Leeds crowd and this was
certainly one of them.
It was to be Dallaglio's last act as he went off three minutes later with a
rib injury.
Ross kept Leeds in touch with his third penalty of the night and the sides
turned round with the score 13-9 to Wasps.
The second half started scrappily with Leeds squandering several try-scoring
opportunities through sloppy handling in the back line, Ross and Phil
Christophers being the main culprits.
Phil Greening's disappointing return to first-team action ended on 60 minutes
when he was replaced by Ben Gotting, Wasps' lineout having failed to function
all night.
Wasps centre Peter Richards made a series of sniping breaks in yet another
impressive display from the converted scrum-half.
The young Wasps player looks to the manor born in his new position and England
centre Fraser Waters could struggle to reclaim his position when he returns from
injury in the next couple of weeks.
Ross missed his third kick of the night on 71 minutes, going narrowly wide
from the halfway line.
Leeds pressed frantically in the final 10 minutes but their lack of precision
in their passing continued to cost them point-scoring opportunities.
Wasps' much-vaunted defence held firm with young Irish open side Jonny
O'Connor putting in a series of fine tackles.
Teams
Leeds: Cardey, Rees, Christophers, Snyman, Albanese, Ross, Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Murphy, Palmer, Dunbar, Hyde, Rigney.
Replacements: Biggs for Cardey (68), Rawlinson for Regan (64), Hooper for Dunbar (60), Parks for Hyde (50).
Not Used: Cusack, McMillan, Bell.
Pens: Ross 3.
Sin Bin: Dickens (24).
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Priscott, Erinle, Richards, Voyce, King, Dawson, Payne, Greening, Green, Hart, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Brooks for Priscott (60), Gotting for Greening (60), Mackenzie for Green (60), Lock for Dallaglio (38).
Not Used: Haskell, Biljon, Hoadley.
Tries: Green.
Cons: King.
Pens: King.
Drop Goals: Dallaglio.
Att: 3,526
Ref: Chris White (Gloucester).
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