Sting in the tail for Wasps win
Wasps were knocked out of the EDF Energy Cup despite a 21-10 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday.
By Simon Dilger
Last Updated: 02/11/08 6:13pm
Wasps were knocked out of the EDF Energy Cup despite a 21-10 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday.
In addition to victory at Adams Park, Wasps were relying on Newcastle to beat leaders Gloucester to guarantee them a semi-final slot.
But the Cherry and Whites went through after an 11-10 victory at Kingston Park.
Fly-half Dave Walder opened the scoring for Wasps after just two minutes with a touchline penalty, but his opposite number Shaun Connor levelled the scores ten minutes later.
Another penalty from Walder though restored the hosts' advantage as the match began to turn their way.
Pinning the Welsh side back in their own 22, Dragons scrum-half Tom Isaacs had to clear the lines three times thanks to some accurate throwing from captain Tom Willis.
Needless errors
Wasps came close to scoring twice after the break but made needless errors both times, allowing the Dragons to come away with the ball.
It was the visitors however who scored the first try of the game, replacement centre Marc Stcherbina finding the gap in the Wasps midfield.
Stcherbina took the ball to the hosts' 22 before feeding Ashley Smith with a perfect pass for his fellow centre to run in unopposed.
Connor converted to add the extras but shortly after Walder booted his third penalty of the afternoon to reduce the Wasps arrears to one point.
Wasps edged back in front when replacement Damien Varley was driven over under a pile of bodies, the try awarded after consultation referee Chris White and the touchjudge.
The final five minutes saw Wasps defending a scrum on their five before replacement scrum-half Eoin Reddan zipped through a gap to put pressure back on the Welsh side.
Then, right at the death, England international Josh Lewsey pounced on a loose ball on the Dragons line to grab a second try for his side.