Christian Wade stars as Wasps beat Worcester 54-35
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 16/04/16 7:29pm
Christian Wade equalled a Premiership record with six tries as Wasps climbed into the top two with a thrilling 54-35 win over Worcester at Sixways.
Wade's stunning performance matched the mark set by Ryan Constable for Saracens against Bedford in 2000 and ensured Wasps would move above Exeter in the table.
It was also only the second time a player had scored four first-half tries in a Premiership fixture, the other being Tom Voyce for Bath against Rotherham in 2001, as Wade marked his 100th appearance for Wasps in some style.
With Exeter losing to Gloucester on Friday night, Wasps knew they had the chance to move up to second and that is exactly what they did at Sixways, although Worcester contributed fully to an exhilarating game that produced 14 tries in total.
Frank Halai and Alex Lozowski also crossed for Wasps, who played brilliantly at times to run Worcester off their feet, but the home side were able to earn a bonus point with tries from Francois Hougaard, Cooper Vuna, Andy Symons, GJ van Velze, Bryce Heem and Carl Kirwan.
Worcester took the lead when Ryan Mills slotted over a second-minute penalty. However, Wasps, who suffered a late blow when last week's European Champions Cup hero Jimmy Gopperth withdrew with a back problem to be replaced by Ruaridh Jackson, hit back emphatically.
A clever kick from Dan Robson secured his side a platform in the home 22 and, when the Warriors lost the line-out, a well-judged pass from Robson sent Halai over for a converted try.
That came in the seventh minute and Wasps further increased their lead in the 15th minute when Wade opened his account for the afternoon.
Rob Miller made a clean break by evading a tackle from Mills to send Robson away before the scrum-half provided Wade with the scoring pass. Jackson's conversion gave the visitors a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Robson's clearance kick was charged down by Darren Barry before Hougaard crashed over from close range for Tom Heathcote to convert.
This time a kicking mistake from Heathcote provided the opposition with another good position in the home 22 and Robson took advantage to send Wade in for his second try.
Worcester were being run ragged and by the 29th minute Wasps had their bonus point in the bag. The visitors moved the ball swiftly along the line for Wade to chip ahead and collect to complete a 13-minute hat-trick.
Vuna finished off a flowing Worcester movement before a clever chip from Daly gave Wade his fourth and his side a 33-15 interval lead.
Warriors made three changes in quick succession at the start of the second half in an attempt to stem the tide and were rewarded when one of them, Symons, crossed for their third try.
Any thoughts of a comeback from Worcester were quickly dispelled, though, when Wade intercepted a Mills pass to race away for his fifth score.
Another interception, this time form Charles Piutau, and some unselfish play, led to Wade's sixth and final try of the day - all of which came before the hour mark.
The 11th try of the game came from Warriors captain Van Velze to give his side a bonus point but Worcester still trailed 47-25 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter Heem and Kirwan scored two more tries for Worcester, with Wasps replacement Lozowski crossing in between for the visitors, as a breathtaking game was brought to a close.
