Wasps return to winning ways against Harlequins - The Coventry Observer

Wasps return to winning ways against Harlequins

Coventry Editorial 23rd Oct, 2017   0

RUGBY UNION: WASPS returned to winning ways on Sunday evening at the Ricoh Arena, defeating Harlequins 41-10 in the European Champions Cup.

The win ended a six-week losing run for Dai Young’s men and rescued hopes of qualification to the European Champions Cup knockout stage.

Wasps took charge of the game in the early stages with a pair of tries in the opening ten minutes.

Dan Robson was the first to cross over before Chrisian Wade pounced on a loose ball to gift the home side a 14-0 lead.




Quins’ Smith pulled back three points with a simple penalty kick before Wasps were lucky not to concede again when Danny Care’s stretched out touch down was ruled out for crossing.

Wasps soon started to build momentum back in their favour though, and the sustained pressure told when Ashley Johnson bagged Wasps’ third try of the game while Gopperth converted once more.


Though Quins had a series of penalties, they were unable to convert and found themselves 21-3 down at half time.

The second half started as the first ended.

Quins went close when a penalty was put into the left corner, but Wasps’ defence held firm before Joe Marler was sent to the sin bin for foul play at the breakdown.

Five minutes later, Harlequins were penalised just outside Wasps’ 22.

Jimmy Gopperth’s successful kick extended Wasps’ lead to 21 points.

Straight from the restart, Wasps broke away down the right through Christian Wade who passed inside to Dan Robson, but the scrum-half just failed to find Elliot Daly through the covering defence.

Quins struck back with a try when Francis Saili raced through a midfield gap to go over between the posts. Marcus Smith converted to bring his side to within 14 points as the game entered the final quarter.

Three minutes later, a simple Jimmy Gopperth penalty restored a 17-point cushion.

Josh Bassett added another try for Wasps to make the scores 34-10.

That was before Christian Wade intercepted a stray pass and ran 60 metres for his second try and Wasps’ fifth to ensure Wasps won 41-10.

Dai Young’s men are back in action on Saturday against Northampton Saints. Kick off is at 3pm.

Picture: Manjit Narotra. 

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