Crichton settles thriller

Loki Crichton landed a penalty 10 minutes into injury time to give Worcester an 11-10 victory over Wasps at Adams Park.

Worcester's replacement fly-half was on-target from 35 metres to inflict a second straight Guinness Premiership defeat on the defending champions.

The visitors had taken the lead with a 19th-minute try from centre Sam Tuitupou and a Matthew Jones penalty, before Wasps hit back through England winger Paul Sackey's converted try just prior to half-time.

Dave Walder, making his return from a broken ankle, slotted a penalty to push Wasps ahead on 51 minutes - although he missed a crucial late shot at goal.

Wasps led 10-8 as the match entered injury time but, in ninth additional minute, Miles Benjamin caused panic in the Wasps defence - and Crichton was able to step up and seal the victory.

Injuries mount

Wasps, who went down 26-14 to London Irish on the opening day of the season, had to settle for a losing bonus and also saw Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery and captain Raphael Ibanez pick up injuries.

Worcester, without new dad Matthew Powell and Achilles injury victim Rico Gear, went in front on 19 minutes when Josh Lewsey mis-judged Jones' high-ball and spilled it deep inside his own 22.

Tuitupou, who had over-run the original kick, pounced on the loose ball ahead of a desperately retreating Wasps defence to dive over the line.

Jones missed the conversion but made amends six minutes later by slotting a penalty to extend Worcester's advantage to 8-0.

Wasps stormed back with a try of their own in the final minute of the first half when scrum-half Eion Reddan created a gap with a nicely angled run from the back of a ruck and slipped a neat inside pass for Sackey to score under the posts.

Walder added the additional two points to bring the hosts back to within a point at half-time.

Ibanez failed to return after the interval, and Worcester soon lost prop Chris Horsman just as they were defending a five-metre scrum under their own posts.

Momentum

Wasps went ahead for the first time when Walder added a 51st-minute penalty following a period of dominance from the home pack.

The roles were reversed in the closing minutes, Worcester earning a penalty after hammering away on the front foot.

They decided against going for goal, a gamble that appeared to have backfired as Wasps forced the turnover and cleared their lines.

Worcester did think they had scored again when Chris Latham ghosted over the line following a slick midfield move - but play was called back for a forward pass.

Walder missed a late penalty - and ultimately, that proved decisive. Benjamin attacked, and Crichton stepped up to win the match.