Wasps let off hook by wasteful Sarries

14 April 2012

Mark van Gisbergen's touchline conversion deep into stoppage time completed a remarkable second-half turnaround and kept Wasps' hopes of a play-off spot alive.

Wasps scrum half Eoin Reddan followed up last week's Heineken Cup brace against Leinster with another try double as Ian McGeechan's men moved to within two points of fourth-placed Saracens - whose only consolation was a losing bonus point.

Sarries let a 15-point lead slip and at the same time missed a golden opportunity to inflict what would have been a savage blow to their opponents' title ambitions.

The visitors looked in total control at 21-6 with 24 minutes left, but Danny Cipriani's try kick-started Wasps' revival and Ireland international Reddan completed it with two tries of impish brilliance.

First he dummied Dan Scarbrough and scuttled over from the back of a driving maul. Then with virtually the last move of the game he crossed again following another outrageous show and go.

Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio said: "The will to win and never-say-die attitude was outstanding. It was a massive effort and keeps the dream alive.

"Eoin Reddan was outstanding today. He must be putting a lot of pressure on Peter Stringer for the Ireland No 9 shirt."

The fireworks of the second half were in stark contrast to a turgid first 40 minutes, lit up only by Thomas Castaignede's try on the stroke of half-time.

Saracens, who went in 13-6 in front thanks to two penalties and a conversion from Glen Jackson in reply to Dave Walder's two penalties, struck early in the second half with scores from prop Cencus Johnston and centre Rodd Penney.

But fly half Jackson missed both conversion attempts and those uncharacteristic errors cost the visitors. Wasps now face a league and Heineken Cup double-header with Northampton before travelling to Leicester for their final league game.