Northampton (9) 9 Pens: Drahm (3) Wasps (3) 10 Try: Thrower Con: King Pen: King

Shane Drahm kicked Saints 9-3 clear at half-time in dismal conditions at Franklin's Gardens as Wasps fly-half Alex King struggled with the boot.

But the introduction of Ed Thrower after the interval turned the game, the wing sliding in to score with his first touch of the match.

King sealed the conversion and Wasps just held on for the win.

A heavy downpour moments before kick-off effectively ended the contest as a spectacle.

But the conditions failed to deter Drahm, who put Northampton ahead after just four minutes.

A minute later, referee Ashley Rowden cautioned Saints back-row forward Corne Krige for a late shoulder on Dawson, just one segment of an often combative tie.

While King missed three straightforward chances before half-time, Drahm remained on target in an error-strewn contest.

I was never going to enjoy it, coming back to a place I played at for 13 years Wasps and former Northampton player Matt Dawson

Wasps, though, burst back into the game in the 41st minute as Pete Richards handed the ball onto Mark van Gisbergen, who helped send Thrower over for the game's only try.

Drahm had a chance to get Saints back in the contest but missed a tough penalty.

And Saints boss Alan Solomons blamed his players for throwing away the match.

"We played like schoolboys," said Solomons. "We were the authors of our own misfortune in this game.

"The try was pathetic because we missed a first-up tackle. Certainly this game has been gifted."

In contrast, Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland was pleased with his side's grinding performance at Franklin's Gardens.

"We had to dig deep and we really dug deep emotionally today," said Gatland.

"It is one of the best ever results for the club as we are missing eight first choice players."

Northampton: Reihana, Rudd, Tucker, Stcherbina, Human, Drahm, Robinson, Smith, Thompson, Kempson, Boome, Lord, Fox, Krige, Blowers.
Replacements: Richmond, Morris, Browne, Seely, Howard, Cohen, Clarke.

Wasps: Van Gisbergen, Roberts, Richards, Hoadley, Voyce, King, Dawson, McKenzie, Greening, Payne, Hart, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor, Dallaglio (capt)
Replacements: Leota, Nwume, Lock, Haskell, Biljon, Thrower, Brooks.

Referee: Ashley Rowden (RFU)

Att: 12,036