Another defeat at Adams Park as Saracens lose to London Wasps

4:45pm Sunday 21st February 2010

By Simon Mail

Saracens’ miserable record at Adams Park continued after they lost 9-0 at London Wasps this afternoon.

Sarries have been beaten on every trip to Wycombe and it never looked like changing after a disappointing performance. Two Danny Cipriani penalties gave Wasps the half-time advantage but the lead should arguably have been greater. The expected response from Saracens never materialised after the break and they limply slumped to their third defeat in their last four Guinness Premiership matches.

The Men in Black made three changes from the side which defeated Worcester at Wembley last weekend. Matias Aguero returned to the side in place of prop Carlos Nieto after he broke his ankle against the Warriors. Ethienne Reynecke was brought in at hooker with Schalk Brits on the bench while Derick Hougaard and Noah Cato started in place of Glen Jackson and Michael Tagicakibau.

Wasps opened the scoring in the second minute when Aussie-bound star Cipriani booted over the penalty. The hosts began the match strongly and extended the lead in the 11th minute when Neil de Kock was penalised for not releasing the ball and Cipriani knocked over the penalty.

The visitors had their first sight at the posts but Hougaard’s ambitious drop goal floated wide of the target. But Wasps were making all the early running and an excellent move between Warren Fury and Tom Vandell nearly resulted in the first try.

Cipriani had the chance to extend Wasps’ lead to nine points after 29 minutes but he scuffed his penalty attempt from just inside his own half. The fly half was gifted another opportunity from a similar position minutes later but was unlucky to see his strike cannon off the post.

The Men in Black conceded a string of scrum offences by their own five-metre line on the stroke of half time and referee Chris White sent prop Richard Skuse to the sinbin. But he did not award a penalty try and Saracens were mightily relieved to go off with only a six-point deficit.

Wasps were guilty of wasting the chance to build a healthy lead in the first half but they added three points after the restart when Cipriani converted a penalty.

Brendan Venter decided to make changes with his team badly in need of some inspiration. Brits entered the action and wing Tagicikibau replaced Cato with 30 minutes remaining.

Saracens enjoyed plenty of possession in the closing stages but never threatened to get a try and disciplined defence from Wasps ensured they failed to get on the scoreboard for the first time this season.

Saracens: Goode, Cato (Tagicakibau, 48), Ratuvou, Barritt, Wyles, Hougaard (Jackson, 70), De Kock (Marshall, 58); Aguero (Gill, 50), Reynecke (Brits, 50), Skuse, Smith, Ryder (Botha, 50), Van Heerden (Burger, 64) Saull, Joubert

London Wasps: Van Gisbergen, Sackey, Jacobs, Kefu, Varndell (Lemi, 74), Cipriani (Walder, 70), Fury (Robinson, 66); Taulafo, Webber, Broster, Veale, Skivington, Worsley, Betsen (Matthews, 55), Ward-Smith