Aviva Premiership: David Strettle hat-trick sees Saracens edge Wasps at Twickenham
Last Updated: 06/09/14 4:45pm
David Strettle's controversial hat-trick try edged Saracens to a last-gasp 34-28 Aviva Premiership victory over Wasps at Twickenham.
Christian Wade's two second-half tries helped Wasps run in 22 unanswered points to lead 28-27, only for Saracens to strike back at the death.
Strettle's final-minute score overturned Saracens' one-point deficit, the try awarded by television match official David Sainsbury.
The decision left Wasps frustrated with replays seemingly suggesting Strettle knocked on while grounding the ball.
Tries from Chris Ashton and Strettle eased Saracens into half-time 20-9 ahead, only for Wasps to hit back and lead 28-20.
Strettle raced in for his second to squeeze Wasps' lead back to one point, before the former Harlequins wing crossed again to steal victory.
Dominated
Saracens dominated a low-quality first-half, enveloping what attacks Wasps could launch without real concern.
Fromer England fly-half Charlie Hodgson forced two midfield loops before grubbering in behind the Wasps defensive line from the second - allowing Ashton to swoop home.
Referee Andrew Small dished out a soft yellow card to Saracens flanker Kelly Brown, who batted the ball out of Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson's hands.
Goode posted the penalty to hand Wasps a scoreboard foothold, but even the numerical advantage could not galvanise any creativity from the Adams Park men.
Hodgson and Goode traded penalties as the contest meandered along, Wasps unable to unlock Saracens' unremitting defensive structure.
Saracens then pilfered possession in their own 22 to end a Wasps raid, Hodgson booted deep, and Strettle picked Wasps full-back Rob Miller's pocket to double the try-count.
Perfect tonic
Ex-Worcester and Leicester out-half Goode slotted his third penalty, leaving Saracens cruising to a 20-9 half-time lead.
Wasps provided the perfect tonic to circumspect proceedings after the break, Hughes powering in for a fine try before he thundered through Saracens' forward pack again minutes later, teeing up another tryline assault.
Goode's smart reverse chip dribbled into the in-goal area, Wade outmuscled Ashton to the ball, and dotted down, for a try awarded via the television match official.
Wade quickly sneaked in for his second, again courtesy of another cute defence-turning kick - this time from flanker Ashley Johnson and Goode's conversion handed Wasps an eight-point lead at the start of the final quarter.
Saracens' immediate riposte sent Strettle in for his second try of the match, fit-again Farrell firing the scoring pass after climbing off the bench and the England fly-half duly added the extras.
Farrell missed a tricky penalty and the chance to wrestle back Saracens' lead with four minutes to play but, when another opportunity came, Strettle delivered.