Cold Hands, Cold Result

The weather was very cold but dry for the SuperSunday top of the league clash at Saracens. Lots of flashes of good play by Wasps, and good individual efforts, but overall not enough to put sustained pressure on the Sarries. Wasps went down to defeat 20 to nil. Field conditions were very difficult with deep, slippery mud covering much of the pitch and this suited the slower, more grinding strategy of Saracens. Adeola provided much of the first half excitement for Wasps with three excellent runs around wing, dodging and weaving through several Saracens only to be eventually held up by a final player. Undoubtedly, on a grassier pitch, he would have been off to the races. Saracens exerted a lot of early pressure on Wasps, capitalising on a combination of Wasp turnovers (cold hands!) and deep penetrating movement to get close to Wasps' try line. Time and again, determined defending by the boys held Saracens short of the try line and the boys achieved terrific turnovers of their own. Eventually, though, too many opportunities enabled Saracens to achieve a break through try. From that point, Wasps fought back with strong inside running moving the ball into Saracens territory on many occasions. However, the breakthrough try scoring run for Wasps never appeared, and just before the half against the run of play, Saracens scored a second try. Second half play mirrored that of the first - good Wasps play but unfortunately yielding no points. Saracens also scored two tries in the second half. All four Sarries' conversions failed.

While a disappointing scoreline overall, the boys played with pride and showed excellent and determined defending at times when pinned close to their try line. Areas to work on include open field tackling, lineouts and kick-off play. Home field provided advantage to Saracens on this occasion, but Wasps will relish their chances in a Twyford Avenue replay.

Man of the Match Callum Heppner Logan

Match Report Eugene Kim