Heineken Cup holders Wasps are facing an early European exit after arch rivals
Leicester took the sting out of them for a second successive game.
Tigers, tournament winners in 2001 and 2002, remain on course to land a third
European title following an impressive Welford Road triumph - a week after their
epic away success against Wasps.
Leicester will win pool one if they beat remaining opponents Biarritz and
Calvisano early in the new year, but Lawrence Dallaglio's Wasps are now relying
on other results working for them.
Clinching one of two best runners-up spots appears their only realistic
quarter-final hope, and even that outside chance depends on them winning in
Biarritz next month.
Leicester have no such worries following another Andy Goode goal-kicking
masterclass.
The fly-half, who amassed 22 points last weekend, added another 20 this time -
booting six penalties, one from inside his own half, and a conversion.
Tigers also scored three tries, all in the first half - from scrum-half Harry
Ellis, hooker George Chuter and wing Leon Lloyd.
Wasps matched them in that department - wing Tom Voyce, flanker Joe Worsley
and prop Will Green touching down - but the visitors never got to within
striking distance.
Wasps full-back Mark Van Gisbergen was allowed only two penalty kicks at goal
- he kicked eight last Sunday - and Leicester's watertight discipline proved
significant in the final reckoning.
Both teams made one change after last Sunday's gripping Causeway Stadium
battle in which Leicester triumphed 37-31.
Tigers coach John Wells handed England lock Ben Kay his first start since
early November - while Wasps hooker Phil Greening failed a late fitness test on
a knee injury, so Ben Gotting deputised and Jonny Barrett featured among the
replacements.
Leicester, as seven days ago, made an electric start. Centre Daryl Gibson
broke from deep; full-back Geordan Murphy took the move on, and it required
frantic Wasps defence to keep them out.
The Tigers immediately exerted pressure at the resulting scrum, and Goode slotted
a penalty after Wasps infringed for a third-minute lead.
But worse was to come for Wasps in a game displaying a remarkable initial
resemblance to last weekend's encounter, courtesy of an opening Leicester try.
Tigers claimed three touchdowns during the opening 19 minutes at Causeway
Stadium - and they needed under six minutes to score their first try second time
around.
Wasps were shredded in midfield, a Gibson break freeing Ellis 35 metres out -
and England's highly-rated scrum-half prospect sprinted clear, diving over in
celebratory fashion to send a capacity 16,815 home crowd wild.
Goode converted and then slotted a 10th-minute penalty, giving Leicester a
13-0 lead as Wasps players wandered around the pitch resembling punch-drunk
boxers.
Wasps were rattled - a fact glaringly emphasised when Van Gisbergen arrowed a
pass straight into touch as the visitors attempted a Josh Lewsey-inspired
counter-attack.
Goode added two further penalties as the opening quarter reached its
conclusion, leaving Wasps trailing 19-0.
But as if to maintain the tone of last week's thriller, Wasps staged a
fightback started by a Van Gisbergen penalty double during a three-minute spell
of concerted pressure.
Leicester still held the upper hand, though, and it took a Tigers mistake
eight minutes before the break to give Wasps renewed hope.
Gibson attempted an opportunist kick out of defence. But it was gathered by
his opposite number Stuart Abbott, who swiftly made ground and sent Voyce over
for a try converted by Van Gisbergen.
Leicester had seen their lead cut to just six points, but the twice European
champions reacted in rip-roaring fashion.
Just when Wasps had clawed their way back into contention, Tigers hit them
with a try double as a thrilling first half reached its conclusion.
Chuter powered over for the first - referee Alain Rolland awarded it following
consultation with the video official - and then Leicester struck a huge
psychological blow.
Wasps launched an attack 20 metres from Leicester's line, using the
threatening Abbott. But the ball bounced off a defending Ellis, and Murphy
galloped clear - finding the scrum-half in support before Lloyd touched down to
complete an astounding counter-attack.
Goode could not convert either try. But Leicester were in control at
half-time, leading 29-13.
Wasps knew they had to open the second-half scoring - otherwise there would be
no way back - and they duly obliged after 50 minutes.
The impressive Leicester defence held firm as Wasps switched their direction
of attack. But the try eventually arrived when Worsley powered over from close
range, using his considerable upper-body strength.
Van Gisbergen added the conversion, reducing Leicester's lead to 29-20 and
ensuring that another enthralling contest remained a going concern for the
neutral observer.
Goode administered a telling blow just before the hour, landing a penalty from
three metres inside his own half to once again open up a double-figure points
advantage.
Wasps then suffered an injury blow when centre Ayoola Erinle limped off to be
replaced by Rob Hoadley - and although Green scored wide out before Goode missed
a penalty attempt, Tigers had enough in the tank to even deny their shattered
opponents a losing bonus point.
Teams:
Leicester: Murphy, Lloyd, Smith, Gibson, Healey, Goode, Ellis,
Rowntree, Chuter, White, M. Johnson, Kay, Moody, Back, Corry.
Replacements: Bemand for Ellis (74).
Not Used: Cockerill, L. Deacon, Morris, W. Johnson, Vesty,
A. Tuilagi.
Tries: Ellis, Chuter, Lloyd.
Cons: Goode.
Pens: Goode 6.
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Erinle, Abbott, Voyce, King,
Dawson, Dowd, Gotting, Green, Shaw, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor,
Dallaglio.
Replacements: Hoadley for Erinle (62), Brooks for King (74),
Biljon for Dawson (65).
Not Used: Barratt, Mackenzie, Haskell, Hart.
Tries: Voyce, Worsley, Green.
Cons: van Gisbergen 3.
Pens: van Gisbergen 2.
Att: 16,815
Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland).
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