Saracens 33

Wasps 27

When London Irish visit Loftus Road on Sunday for an Allied Dunbar Premiership duel, Wasps will be out to repeat their stunning performance of a fortnight ago, when they dumped the Exiles out of the Tetley Bitter Cup 41-7.

A hangover from their mid-season slump continues to affect Wasps, and only London Irish and Bristol are below them in the table.

Automatic relegation appears unlikely this season, but a win on Sunday is still vital to put Wasps clear of the stragglers and avoid the embarrassment of a play-off.

Lawrence Dallaglio's men receive a boost on Sunday, when Irish international centre Rob Henderson faces his former club after playing his part in Ireland's game effort to overcome the formidable French in Paris.

A crowd of over 12,000 watched a derby to savour at Vicarage Road on Sunday as Wasps went close to causing an upset against Allied Dunbar Premier Division leaders Saracens.

Early on it was easy to see why Saracens have lost only one league match since their move to Watford. Prompted by the precise boot of Michael Lynagh and driven on by skipper Tony Diprose and Francois Pienaar, they had Wasps under tremendous pressure.

After four minutes Lynagh kicked a penalty and a try soon followed when full-back Paul Sampson was nailed inside his own 22, Diprose drove over from the ruck and scrum-half Marcus Olsen jinked in.

Lynagh, who converted, kicked his second penalty, and the Wasps supporters were in fear of a terrible beating at the hands of their near neighbours.

But Lawrence Dallaglio is not inclined to be used as a whipping boy and Wasps rocked Saracens with 20 points without reply before the interval.

A penalty try was awarded by refereee John Pearson for a deliberate knock-on. Centre Nick Greenstock pounced on Lynagh's mistake, and although his gallop was finally halted, three Wasps players were queuing up to score when Ben Sturnam stuck in his hand. Buster White scythed through to set up the second try and Sampson finished the job, following a short pass by Rees, who convered both tries and added two penalties.

The home side were bound to come back after the break, but determined defensive play by Wasps held them at bay until a bitterly disputed penalty try put Saracens back on terms.

A series of lineouts in the Wasps left-hand corner ended with Wasps collapsing a maul. Referee Pearson was in no doubt, but Dallaglio said afterwards: "They were five yards out and there is no way they would have scored."

But there were no complaints about the try which put Saracens in front when a searing right-hand move was finished off by speedy Matt Singer.

Lynagh provided the cushion with two long range penalties, but Wasps had the final say with a late try from Greenstock.

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