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Saracens 17 Wasps 31

Wasps produced an outstanding performance at Vicarage Road on Sunday, totally outplaying Saracens and gaining sweet revenge for last season's heavy defeat in the Tetley Bitter Cup final.

Delighted Wasps supremo Nigel Melville described the win as the most satisfying in his time with the club but questioned whether his young side was ready to take the title just yet.

But if Wasps reproduce this form on a regular basis, the rest of the teams in the Allied Dunbar Premiership had better beware.

Saracens coach Francois Pienaar said his side's performance was very flat, but it was much more a case of them being flattened by Wasps.

From the outset, Wasps dominated and Trevor Leota rampaged around the pitch like a small chieftan tank, making frightening hits while launching himself at Saracens' defence.

Alex King was back to his best, linking with Rob Henderson in some beautiful moves in midfield.

Prop Will Green gave seasoned Argentinian international Roberto Grau a miserable afternoon and Simon Shaw looked a much better prospect for the England second row than Danny Grewcock.

An incident late in the game epitomised Wasps display. When Pienaar, 20 yards out, charged at the defence, he was not only stopped by Joe Worsley, but the youngster picked him up and pushed the big South African back 10 yards. And that does not happen to a legend very often.

Wasps went ahead after only four minutes when Kenny Logan crossed after a mistake by Gavin Johnson.

Logan missed the conversion, but extended the lead soon after with his first penalty.

Saracens briefly came to life and Brendan Daniel put their first points on the board, following a smart pass by Tony Diprose, Johnson converting.

The response by Wasps was impressive as they worked their way back into Saracens' territory, retaining possession and driving on. It was rugby of the highest order.

King combined with Henderson for Wasps' second try, supplying the pass and taking the return as the powerful Irishman created the opening.

Logan converted and kicked two more penalties as Wasps ended the first half storming the line and with a 21-10 advantage.

Further pressure saw Henderson force his way over to increase the gap.

Saracens were denied any chance of getting back into the match as the Wasps defence kept them at bay.

Josh Lewsey crossed unchallenged, following a neat pass inside from King, for his first try from the club, which gave him great pleasure. Saracens were reduced to playing catch-up rugby, and Johnson's try in injury time was only consolation.

Wasps's supporters were easy to spot at the final whistle - they were all wearing ear-to-ear grins. As for the 'Fez Boys', stunned by only their side's second defeat at Vicarage Road, they were looking around for salt, pepper or tomato sauce to make their hats more palatable!

The unofficial rugby championship of London continues apace on Sunday when Wasps face Harlequins at Loftus Road on Sunday (3pm).

They are the bitterest of rivals anyway -- but with both having beaten Saracens in the last fortnight, the match will have a real edge.

The game plan for Wasps will be simple, another dose of the same medicine they dished out to Saracens.

"We've set our standard," said supremo Nigel Melville."The players know what they are capable of now."

There are no injury problems for Wasps. Andy Reed is fit after his injury against Bedford last week, and Simon Mitchell, alongside Paul Sampson, made their first appearances of the season on Tuesday.

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