KO
Saints, in lime this afternoon, will get the game underway playing from left to right as we look...
WASPS 0 SAINTS 0
2mins
Wasps first to get their hands on the ball and after some aerial tennis and a good high take from Elliott, Daly sends a decent touch-finder into the Saints’ 22. Solid lineout ball from Haywood though and Myler clears to halfway.
WASPS 0 SAINTS 0
4mins
Innocent looking collision between Goode and Burrell in midfield but the Wasps kicker goes down in a heap and the TMO says penalty. The Saints centre was committed there, didn’t look like there was too much he could do to get out of the way but Daly drills over the points nonetheless.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 0
5mins
Saints win back the restart - somewhat fortuitously - but that isn’t an issue for Burrell, who scoops up and scampers over despite the attentions of Johnson. TMO called into action once more though and it’s another one that goes against the Saints - Day adjudged to have pulled Daly back in the chase.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 0
7mins
Really poor from Davies after Goode’s penalty took the hosts up to halfway. His box kick never looked like staying in the field of play and races through the dead ball area on just the second bounce. Saints scrum it and there’s a penalty in it for them too at the third time of asking.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 0
9mins
To touch and Haywood picks out Wood at the lineout. Another pair of penalties as Wasps pull consecutive mauls and third time round, the green machine rumbles over with Day getting all the pats on the back. There only looked one outcome there after Myler went to the corner and shades of last season here at Adams Park.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 5
15mins
Excellent high kick from Daly and when Collins is beaten in the air by Helu, a penalty advantage is quick in coming for Wasps. Goode still moving gingerly so kicking duties are left to Daly. First miss from the young full back though and Saints get off.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 5
18mins
Wasps looking to kick in behind at every opportunity and good nudge to the 5m line pays off. Haywood goes barrelling up the left after a slick exchange with Clark but the throw in is deemed not straight and it will be a home 5m scrum instead of a Saints breakaway.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 5
20mins
Huge counter shove from the Saints and with Fotuali’i and Wood making a mess of Wasps ball, the latter hacks it over halfway. A chargedown on Goode gives Saints further relief and though North slips countering, they will throw into the line 10m inside Wasps’ half.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 5
22mins
Direct running in midfield after the lineout is sacked and a mid-range penalty straight in front is kicked by Myler. Saints were barely in the Wasps half two minutes there but have come away with all important points.
WASPS 3 SAINTS 8
24mins
Super work from Dickinson under the restart but Saints make a mess of clearing from the base of a ruck and Fotuali’i is tagged. Next breakdown Saints go off their feet looking to protect the ball and Goode cancels out Myler’s three-pointer.
WASPS 6 SAINTS 8
26mins
Fotuali’i hooks a kick behind the Wasps line and this time it is they who are under pressure to clear their lines. Myler takes his eye off the ball though and spills, but while Wasps put into the scrum, it’s Saints who make a positive shove once again.
WASPS 6 SAINTS 8
31mins
Wasps are enjoying the lion’s share of territory here and are even utilising their own maul to good effect. No immediate danger to the Saints line but when Haywood goes looking for a turnover, he’s penalised for not releasing. Goode kicks Wasps back in front.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 8
33mins
A real struggle for the hosts to clear having missed the restart again. When Goode does get boot to ball cleanly though it’s a thumping effort, up over halfway and putting the squeeze back on the Saints.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 8
36mins
Another attempt by Goode to pin the Saints back doesn’t end so well for Wasps, the ball skidding dead and again it will be a Saints scrum on halfway. Last time a penalty was sent to the corner and mauled for a try. More of the same?
WASPS 9 SAINTS 8
37mins
Well there’s your penalty! This time the chance is more central though and despite kicking into the breeze and rain, Myler has plenty to spare from 40m.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
39mins
Bar the quick one that almost worked, but didn’t, Haywood’s throwing has been exemplary today. Speaks volumes of the hooker’s development over the past couple of seasons especially given Hartley’s presence on the bench. A scrum doesn’t go quite to plan but Goode’s drop goal attempt is sliced and the half ends with Saints ahead.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
HT
They may have seen less of the ball and spent time pegged in their own half, but the Saints have looked comfortable in the opening 40 and will have the elements in their favour after the break too. The penalty count against may be a slight worry but when they have attacked, each time they’ve come away with a score and that means a two-point platform to build from.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
40mins
The wind is whipping a horrible rain into Wasps’ faces for the start of this second half. They get the first scrum though, holding Saints up in a maul and with a chance to build from the 10m line.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
45mins
A knock on ends the first play of the half and allows Collins to send a cracking left footed kick into Wasps territory. First real danger moment for the Saints follows as Carlisle - on for Goode - breaks the line and charges 30m upfield before the move is forced into touch.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
47mins
Saints have a nightmare clearing their lines and in the end Elliott is shunted back over his own try line at the cost of a 5m scrum. No way through for the black shirts though and Carlisle snatches at a drop goal attempt from a poor pass.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
50mins
Carlisle again and then Daly half cut the Saints line and Collins is both unfortunate and fortunate when spilling a cross kick. He’d have been away if he gathered, but luckily Helu couldn’t pick up either and the wing knocks on for a Saints scrum.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
55mins
After a scrum that took an age, the Saints are in the Wasps half thanks to a penalty. Wasps are defending well but when Fotuali’i chips a kick Daly makes a real hash of gathering and leaves his side pinned on their own 5m line. Saints counter after a hacked clearance but after Elliott makes good ground on the end of Myler’s raking pass, Haywood can’t pick up off his bootlaces and spills. It’s his last contribution, Hartley on and Mercey also replacing Ma’afu.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
58mins
No relief for Wasps though and as they look to rush the ball out of a less than stable scrum, Fotuali’i clamps himself over the ball for a Saints penalty. Superb work from the Samoan and three more points from his half-back partner Myler.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 14
61mins
Helu proves a real handful for Saints defenders on the right as Wasps look to mount a response. Saints bide their time though and when Wood and North combine to turn ball over, Myler clears. Glenn Dickson comes on for Pisi at full back, Wasps also ringing the changes including the introduction of Simpson at 9.
WASPS 9 SAINTS 14
63mins
Lawes and Dowson also join the action as Saints look to flex their bench muscles. Another of the replacements Dickson has oodles of time to clear and hammers a kick up to halfway and over the two-tiered stand here at Adams Park!
WASPS 9 SAINTS 14
65mins
Wasps don’t look like buckling any time soon and their persistence pays off for the first time in the second half. Phases in the middle of the park aren’t moving forward but a penalty still comes and Carlisle guides it over to cut the deficit.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
67mins
A chargedown on Wasps that could have fallen kindly for Saints instead sparks a counter through Simpson and North has to drift to usher the attack into touch. Just over 12 to play here in Wycombe but a game that can still go either way - much like Lindsay’s lineout which is called not straight.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
69mins
Saints putting into the scrum but a rare penalty for Wasps - referee Carley pinging Mercey for his angle. It’s miles out and while Daly gives it a fearful whack, he doesn’t quite get his own angles right and it is also marginally short.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
70mins
Plenty of experience from the bench but the Saints are yet to settle since making those changes. The TMO is in action again, looking at a late hit from Wood on Launchbury and a yellow card means the Saints will finish this game with 14 men. Soft, but also a touch silly from the Saints skipper for the afternoon.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
72mins
Penalty given as well but while Daly’s ball striking has been good, his radar is off again. Another let off for the Saints.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
74mins
Another hairy moment for the Saints, who after failing to secure lineout ball are delighted to see Wasps knock on. Dickson comes on for Fotuali’i and a few vital seconds tick down as the scrum is reset, twice, before Saints are awarded a free kick. Myler takes his time and clears.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
77mins
The clock shows just 3mins but that’s a lifetime for something to happen in a game of rugby. Wasps have a scrum, 40m out and a Saints tackle is sent to the TMO who has certainly earned his wage today! Massive call coming up for David Sainsbury here. The decision - Wasps penalty and an easily kickable one.
WASPS 12 SAINTS 14
78mins
Carlisle slots it and now it’s the Saints who are chasing the game with not a lot of time left. Just 90secs to go and Saints need a penalty or drop goal.
WASPS 15 SAINTS 14
80mins
SAINTS PENALTY! The scrum isn’t going as referee Carley wants and he has no hesitation in awarding Saints the penalty. It’s wide and around 40m out for Myler…
WASPS 15 SAINTS 14
FT
Iceman nails it! It never left dead centre and the most dramatic of finishes belongs to the Saints. Unbelievable nerve from Myler and Saints head home with the points!
WASPS 15 SAINTS 17
SUMMARY
Let’s not beat around the bush, Saints were nowhere near the standards they set in Dublin last week. That said, it’s another big win based on a meagre defensive effort and with their line intact once more, Day’s first half try allied with 12 points from Myler gets the job done. Just what the doctor ordered.
WASPS 15 SAINTS 17
TIMELINE
4mins WASPS Pen Daly 3-0
13mins SAINTS Try Day 3-5
16mins WASPS Miss pen Daly
22mins SAINTS Pen Myler 3-8
24mins WASPS Pen Goode 6-8
33mins WASPS Pen Goode 9-8
38mins SAINTS Pen Myler 9-11
40mins WASPS Miss DG Goode
HALF-TIME WASPS 9 SAINTS 11
60mins SAINTS Pen Myler 9-14
65mins WASPS Pen Carlisle 12-14
69mins WASPS Miss pen Daly
72mins WASPS Miss pen Daly
78mins WASPS Pen Carlisle 15-14
80mins SAINTS Pen Myler 15-17
FULL-TIME WASPS 15 SAINTS 17
WASPS
Daly; Helu, Bell, Hayter, Varndell; Goode, Davies; Mullan, Festuccia, Cooper-Woolley, Palmer, Launchbury, Johnson, Haskell, Jones
Reps - Lindsay, Vea, Swainston, Cannon, Thompson, Simpson, Carlisle, Suniula
SAINTS
K Pisi; Elliott, North, Burrell, Collins; Myler, Fotuali'i; A Waller, Haywood, Ma'afu, Manoa, Day, Clark, Wood, Dickinson
Reps - Hartley, E Waller, Mercey, Lawes, Dowson, L Dickson, G Dickson, Stephenson
Referee: Matthew Carley
Att: 6,897
