Aviva Premiership: Charlie Hodgson stars as Saracens beat Wasps

Tom Varndell: Gave Wasps a fine start with an early try

Charlie Hodgson: Kicked a total of 21 points in win against Wasps

Charlie Hodgson kicked seven penalties as Saracens went level on points with Harlequins at the top of the Aviva Premiership with a 29-24 victory over Wasps.

The visitors got the first try on the board at Vicarage Road as Tom Varndell rounded off a superb counter-attack which was started by his fellow wing Christian Wade.

Saracens lock Alistair Hargreaves levelled the try count up in the 28th minute, but it was the kicking of fly-half Hodgson which would ultimately prove to be the difference between the two local rivals.

The 31-year-old kicked a total of 21 points while his opposite number Nicky Robinson notched three penalties and a drop goal for Wasps and Charlie Davies grabbed a losing bonus point with a try late on.

Hodgson got the first points on the board after just four minutes but Wasps responded immediately as Wade found full-back Hugo Southwell, whose well-timed pass provided Varndell space to score his seventh try of the season.

A cool drop goal from Robinson extended the lead but two penalties in the following three minutes from Hodgson edged the hosts 9-8 in front.

Hargreaves then grabbed Sarries' sole try as he charged down a kick and then won the race to ground the ball. The South African would later be sin-binned before being carried off on a stretcher following a controversial challenge by James Haskell.

Two more penalties from Robinson reduced the gap to 17-14 at half-time but Nils Mordt restored the cushion soon after the restart, taking on kicking duties with Hodgson receiving treatment for a cut.

Robinson responded in kind before Hodgson put clear daylight between the two sides with four straight penalties, with Wasps only being able to hit back in the dying moments through Davies.

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