The fastest try ever scored in British top-class rugby helped Wasps to a
turbulent victory over Harlequins.
The struggling visitors conceded a try after just nine seconds as England wing
Tom Voyce re-wrote the record books.
Somehow Quins hauled themselves back into the game with a Will Greenwood try
and 11 points from the boot of Jeremy Staunton.
But their dismal finishing meant they did not deserve to end what is now a
10-game losing streak and Wasps pushed themselves up to second in the table
thanks to Voyce's try and conversion and four penalties from Mark Van
Gisbergen.
Harlequins went into the game trailing Worcester by four points at the bottom
of the table. And when the visitors conceded a record-breaking soft try after a
mere nine seconds of the first half, things did not look like improving.
Greenwood spilled the kick-off on his own 22 and then watched in horror as the
loose ball was gobbled up and Voyce forced his way over.
While Van Gisbergen's conversion was sailing over, experts confirmed it was
easily the fastest Premiership score, beating Martin Corry's 24-second effort
for Leicester against London Irish earlier this season.
It also equalled the previous best in top class rugby, from Scotland's John
Leslie against Wales in 1999 with video analysis needed to separate the two.
After that nightmare start, Harlequins held on grimly against a couple of
rampaging attacks orchestrated by Matt Dawson and Fraser Waters.
They steadied themselves with two Staunton penalties after 10 and 18 minutes,
the second after Wasps lock Simon Shaw was sin-binned for handling in a ruck.
And with a one-man advantage, Greenwood was able to atone for his astonishing
error with the try that put his side in front after 24 minutes.
Voyce's miscued clearance kick flew straight to Simon Keogh, who scorched down
the left before passing out of the tackle to give Greenwood the simplest of
tasks.
Staunton stroked over the conversion from wide on the left for a 13-7 lead
Wasps fans could scarcely believe.
Their side responded by adding more structure to a scrappy game and levelled
with penalties from Van Gisbergen either side of half-time, the first after
Quins captain Andre Vos was the second man to be sin-binned by Ashington referee
Dave Pearson.
The quality of the finishing from both sides was woeful in the second half,
though.
Wasps were guilty of failing to exploit space out wide when Shaw dithered on
the ball, then Harlequins somehow contrived to blow a three-on-one wide on the
right.
The odds tilted away from Quins again on the hour - when George Harder was the
third man sent to the sin-bin for a ruck offence instantly punished by Van
Gisbergen's third penalty.
Then they swung back the other way as Staunton's drop-goal levelled the game
again 15 minutes from time, only for Van Gisbergen to nudge his side ahead again
five minutes later.
Wasps had to dig in during the last 10 minutes before Greenwood was knocked
backwards as he tried to thread his way through a defensive wall to the line.
His side at least picked up a bonus point - their fifth of the season - but
still trail Worcester by three having played a game more.
There was some potentially worrying news for England coach Andy Robinson, too,
at the interval.
Joe Worsley, a certain starter against Canada next weekend, was substituted
after picking up a heavy knock on the thigh.
Teams
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Waters, Erinle, Voyce, Brooks, Dawson, Dowd, Greening, Payne, Shaw, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Richards for Erinle (60), Leota for Greening (50), Lock for Worsley (40).
Not Used: Green, Hart, Hoadley, Thrower.
Tries: Voyce.
Cons: van Gisbergen.
Pens: van Gisbergen 4.
Sin Bin: Shaw (19).
Harlequins: Williams, Harder, Greenwood, James, Keogh, Staunton, So'oialo, Worsley, Fuga, Jones, Winters, Miall, Easter, Vos, Diprose.
Replacements: Maling for Miall (66), Sherriff for Diprose (46).
Not Used: Hayter, Dawson, Dunne, Deane, Duffy.
Tries: Greenwood.
Cons: Staunton.
Pens: Staunton 2.
Drop Goals: Staunton.
Sin Bin: Vos (31), Harder (60).
Att: 8,283
Ref: Dave Pearson (Newcastle).
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