BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Leeds fight back to earn draw

Wasps 27-27 Leeds

Wasps failed to hold on to a big lead as Leeds fought back to earn a controversial draw with a try and conversion in injury time.

The result left a sour taste with Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland, who has now vowed to report referee Robin Goodlife.

In the dressing room there was just absolute frustration - it is difficult for the players when they are playing by the rules and penalised

Warren Gatland
Wasps director

"This was a disgraceful display," said Gatland after the game.

"I'm flabbergasted by some of the decisions. We are going to make an official complaint and are going to submit a video to the RFU."

Leeds begun the scoring when fly-half Braam van Straaten landed a penalty from 40 metres.

From the same distance, van Straaten's opposite number Alex King equalised with a powerful, curling penalty three minutes later.

London Wasps Josh Lewsey and Diego Albanese of Leeds challenge
Wasps' Lewsey challenges Albanese of Leeds

But determined Wasps regained the lead two minutes later with a try on the right by wing Shane Roiser.

The Tykes fought back and, in the 14th minute, van Straaten narrowed the deficit with his second penalty of the afternoon.

However, King widened the gap with another penalty kick before repeating the performance five minutes later.

And Wasps moved further ahead thanks to a long-range penalty by winger Kenny Logan.

Early in the second half, flanker Paul Volley went over after collecting a pass from hooker Phil Greening. King made the conversion.

The referee had a major bearing on the result - there can be no doubt about that

Rob Howley
Wasps captain

Van Straaten landed three penalties to reduce the deficit - the last a stunning effort from well inside his own half.

Then Mark Regan took possession from a line-out with 11 minutes remaining and his try left Leeds trailing by only seven points.

And the comeback was complete when a try from full-back Dan Scarbrough and conversion from Van Straaten sneaked Leeds level.

That score came deep into extra time and prompted the outburst from Gatland, which may yet lead to further action being taken.

Wasps: Dowd, Greening, W. Green, Shaw, Birkett, Lock, Volley, Scrivener, Howley, A. King, Logan, Erinle, Abbott, Roiser, Lewsey.
Replacements: Wood, van Gisbergen, Waters, Beardshaw, McCarthy, Mackenzie, Leota.

Leeds: Scarborough, Albanese, Harder, Davies, Hall, van Straaten, Dickens, Shelley, Rawlinson, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer, Hyde, Mather, Fea'unati.
Replacements: O'Keefe, Holt, Popham, Hegarty, Rock, Emmerson, Regan.


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