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Page last updated at 15:29 GMT, Sunday, 29 March 2009 16:29 UK

Saracens 19-14 Wasps


Saracens (12) 19
Try: Leonelli Con: Jackson Pens: Jackson 4

Wasps (6) 14
Try: Voyce Pens: Cipriani 3


Francisco Leonelli
It was a dramatic late try from Argentine Leonelli

Francisco Leonelli scored a dramatic late try as Saracens defeated Wasps to effectively end the defending champions' hopes of a play-off place.

Leonelli collected an inside pass from Ben Jacobs just minutes after Tom Voyce had crossed to put Wasps 14-12 ahead.

Both tries came in the final minutes of the match, with Voyce collecting a deft kick from Mark van Gisbergen.

The victory boosts Saracens' hopes of finishing in the top six and qualifying for next season's Heineken Cup.

Saracens are seventh in the table, seven points adrift of Bath in fourth place. But Wasps are 10th and now face a very stiff task to claim a place in the top six.


Wasps assistant coach Shaun Edwards:
"We're not going to make the Premiership play-offs but still have a slim chance of the Heineken Cup and we'll give it everything we've got.

"The last time we weren't in the Heineken Cup was in 2002-03 when we won the Parker Pen Challenge Cup and Premiership. After that we won trophies for six consecutive seasons.

"If you do miss out on the Heineken Cup it's disappointing but the lesser competition can be used as a building block for the next season."

Saracens head coach Richard Graham:
"Our attitude was fantastic and, even after Wasps' late try, I thought we'd stick in there.

"I was really pleased with the character we showed. Top four will be tough for us now, we'd need a lot of results to go our way.

"But this certainly gives us a chance to make the top six."


Saracens: Wyles; Leonelli, Ratuvou, Barritt, Penney; Jackson, Marshall; Aguero, Ongaro, Johnston, Ryder, Borthwick, Jack, van Heerden, Skirving.
Replacements: Jacobs for Ratuvou (41), Ross for Barritt (73), Mercey for Johnston (31), Seymour for Ryder (48), Melck for Skirving (68).
Not Used: Walker, Wilson.

Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Lewsey, Waldouck, Flutey, Voyce; Cipriani, Simpson; Beech, Webber, Barnard, Shaw, Skivington, Haskell, Rees, Leo.
Replacements: Robinson for Simpson (73), Payne for Barnard (13), Birkett for Shaw (41), Veale for Leo (52).
Not Used: Ward, Staunton, Mitchell.

Att: 16,257

Ref: Andrew Small (RFU).



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see also
Panel clears Banahan and Chesney
24 Mar 09 |  English
Leicester 46-16 Saracens
21 Mar 09 |  English
Holden leaves Wasps to head home
27 Mar 09 |  London Wasps
Triple signing boosts Wasps squad
24 Mar 09 |  London Wasps
Voyce quits Wasps for Gloucester
20 Mar 09 |  Gloucester
Wasps 21-19 Bristol
22 Mar 09 |  English


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