Dragons, Wasps play out draw
Newport-Gwent Dragons and London Wasps got their EDF Energy Cup campaigns off to a miserable start with a bore draw.
Last Updated: 27/10/07 8:54pm
Newport-Gwent Dragons and London Wasps got their EDF Energy Cup campaigns off to a miserable start with a drab 3-3 draw at Rodney Parade.
Neither side was capable of showing any attacking flair in the persistent drizzle with many handling errors undermining the play, which was largely confined to the midfield.
Wasps held the territorial advantage in the first quarter but were unable to turn the pressure into points before the Welsh began to show signs of life.
Colin Charvis was sin-binned for offside at the ruck but Dragons looked more likely to score without him, and they went ahead before the break when Ceri Sweeney slotted a penalty after Dan Leo prevented home scrum-half Wayne Evans from moving the ball.
Wasps looked have got on the board with a try on 50 minutes, but Danny Cipriani's touch down in the corner was ruled out as the centre was adjudged to have pushed wing Gareth Wyatt out of the way.
Cipriani made up for it though when he booted a 40-metre penalty before both teams went back into their shells, with barely a hint of a noteworthy attack.
Furious McGeechan
Wasps' director of rugby Ian McGeechan was furious with referee Dean Richards following the decision to rule out Cipriani's try.
Richards took the advice of the television match official but McGeechan pointed out that he was not entitled to do so.
"It was in the field of play and he is not allowed (to ask for the TMO's advice) in the field of play on anything. The referee or touchjudge should do that," he said.
"It's disappointing because we are pretty certain this has been done in the field of play and not in the try area."
However, McGeechan was pleased with his side's performance after a difficult start to the season that has seen them lose four of their first six games.
"It was important for us not to lose here tonight," he added. "Credit to both sides and their workrate and attitude. It was first class in the conditions."