Exiles sunk by Wasps

Wasps withstood some late pressure to earn a hard-fought 24-20 LV= Cup triumph over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors, who fielded a close-to-full-strength team, emerged triumphant courtesy of first-half tries from David Lemi and Mark Van Gisbergen and the boot of Dave Walder who added 11 points.

Irish produced two tries of their own, both scored by Peter Hewat, but came up short despite a strong finish.

The match was an open, entertaining affair from the off and it was Wasps who struck first as Lemi opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock.

The try owed much to swift break from fly-half Walder who then timed his pass perfectly to release Lemi, the Samoan winger scampering over in the corner.

Walder was unable to add the extras and the Exiles took advantage to snatch the lead just five minutes later as Hewat touched down after Richard Thorpe had set up the attacking platform with some aggressive running - Hewat converting his own try.

Despite plenty of free-flowing rugby, both sides fell foul of referee Jonathan Kaplin as Walder slotted two penalties to Hewat's one as Wasps built an 11-10 lead.

Hewat twice had the opportunity to edge his side back in front, but twice missed penalties from around 30 metres and was made to pay as Wasps served up their second try of the afternoon four minutes before the break.

Centre Ben Jacobs did much of the ground work as he pierced the Irish backline before offloading to Van Gisbergen who burst to line.

Walder landed the conversion to establish an 18-10 advantage at the interval.

The scoreline was rather harsh on the hosts who had more than held their own and were perhaps the more dominant force up front, but it was Wasps who should have put further daylight between the sides on 48 minutes only for a wayward Lachlan Mitchell pass to spoil an overlap.

Clinical

As it was, Irish proved far more clinical on their next visit to the Wasps' 22 as Tom Homer sent in Hewat with a smart pass, although one that looked marginally forward.

Jamie Lennard, who took over kicking duties in the second half, converted and then exchanged penalties around the hour mark to make the scoreline 21-20.

The Exiles brought on veteran back Mike Catt for the final quarter, but the former England centre could not inspire a turnaround and Lemi's drop goal sealed the win for Wasps.

The returning Simon Shaw, for a cynical knock-on, and Joe Simpson, for tackling a man without the ball, were sent to the sin-bin late on but Wasps held on.