Wasps defeat champions Leicester

Wasps 26 Leicester 13

Wasps gave the majority of the 10,000 crowd a perfect festive result by defeating reigning Premiership champions Leicester today.

Adams Park was packed out for the first time ever – and Wasps are fast making the venue a fortress having lost just once at home once since their move to High Wycombe over the summer.

The win not only hands Warren Gatland’s side a major confidence boost with a tough run of games on the agenda in the New Year – it also moves Wasps above Leicester and Northampton in the table.

The home side began well, dominating territory and converting an early penalty courtesy of Alex King, but it was Leicester who underlined their championship credentials with a superb counter-attack try.

Martin Johnson made vital space under the cosh after the Tigers took a short defensive lineout, with forward Josh Kronfeld carrying the ball on further before passing inside to scrum-half Harry Ellis, who charged upfield to score. Tim Stimpson converted.

But Wasps kept on pushing forward and Alex King converted a 38th-minute penalty after the sin-binning of Adam Balding.

Leicester retained the lead at the break with a Stimpson penalty but Wasps returned to the field even more fired up. Immediately they had an attacking lineout on Leicester’s 22 and the hosts made the most of it.

After driving forward the ball was moved out wide and King took the opportunity to snatch a crucial drop goal to reduce the Tigers’ lead to just one point.

Leicester again reasserted their authority with a second penalty after the sin-binning of Trevor Leota but Wasps were not going to give up.

This time they responded with a superb try by winger Josh Lewsey, who also benefited from good work from on-form centre Stuart Abbott. King converted to put the home side 16-13 up.

The fly-half then stretched Wasps’ lead further with a 65-minute penalty before Welsh international and British Lion Rob Howley darted over Leicester’s try line to catch the visitors unaware. King converted to seal the victory.