Wasps prove too slippery for lowly Saracens

Saracens 3 Wasps 4

It is only courtesy of Rotherham that Saracens are not bottom of the Zurich Premiership but on this inept performance they certainly deserve to be. Bereft of the basics, devoid of ideas and incapable of closing gaps, they permitted Wasps the run of the Vicarage Road pitch.

The greasy conditions did not help but in fact it was Wasps who proved more slippery, quickly coming to terms with the handicap of the weather and putting together some slick passages of play with pack and backs combining beautifully at times.

The Wasps half-backs Peter Richards and Mark van Gisbergen directed operations wonderfully behind a pack that was given few problems. Up the middle Fraser Waters was inventive and out wide the powerful wing John Rudd frequently had Saracens' hearts thudding, although in the case of his opposite number, Richard Haughton, it was the left winger's body which was doing the thudding, into turf.

Wasps, who have now beaten Saracens eight times in succession in the Premiership, ran in five tries, the bonus point for scoring four or more confirming them in sole possession of fourth place in the Zurich Premiership table.

On those few occasions when Saracens actually found themselves with the ball and running in the right direction, they invariably and inevitably ran up against a wall of Wasps. And Wasps were always prepared to counter-attack, with the full-back Tom Voyce a particular thorn in the Saracens side. He scored two tries and his stunning running of lines helped set up numerous other chances.

Saracens were not helped by poor Andy Goode having one of those days he will want to forget. He missed two early penalties and a drop goal in the first half, and such was Wasps discipline, Goode never got a chance of a shot at goal after the interval.

Two tries came in the first half through the No 8, Ian Clarke, and Voyce, then Craig Dowd celebrated his 31st birthday and his temporary captaincy (Rob Howley suffered a back spasm after being involved in a nine-car shunt on the M4) with his first try of the season in the 46th minute. Waters took the bonus point four minutes later and Voyce capped it all in injury time.

Saracens: Penalty Goode. Wasps: Tries Clarke, Voyce 2, Dowd, Waters; Conversions Van Gisbergen 4; Penalties Van Gisbergen 3.

Saracens: A Wynnan; R Haughton, B Johnston, M Bartholomeusz (P Bailey, 66), D O'Mahony; A Goode, D Kirton; A Kershaw (S Sparks, 51), J Marsters, B Broster, S Raiwalui (capt), K Chesney (B Skirving, 64), T Roques, T Randell, B Russell (E Bergamaschi, 46-56; R Peacey, 56).

Wasps: T Voyce; S Roiser, F Waters, M Denney (A Erinle, 59), J Rudd; M van Gisbergen, P Richards; T Payne, P Greening (A Mackenzie, 69), C Dowd (capt; T Leota, 64), S Shaw (M Purdy, 54), R Birkett, P Volley (J Haskell, 64), I Clarke (J Hart, 69), J O'Connor.

Referee: S Leyshon (Bristol).