Wasps (6) 9
Pens: Cipriani 3
Saracens (0) 0

Cipriani scored all the points of a disappointing game

Danny Cipriani kicked all the points as Wasps moved into the top four play-off spots with a hard-earned Premiership win over rivals Saracens at Adams Park.

The fly-half, who will leave the club for Australian Super 14 side Melbourne Rebels later this year, landed two penalties inside the first 10 minutes.

His third kick, five minutes into the second half, was the only other score.

Wasps are now five points behind former leaders Sarries, who stay third after slipping to their third league defeat.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half but did not even earn a single kick at goal, two missed drop-goal attempts from long range by Derrick Hougaard the only time they threatened to get on the scoreboard.

Wasps' defence ensured they maintained their record of never losing to Saracens at Adams Park.

Cipriani's first penalty arrived in the second minute after the visitors collapsed a scrum.

Eight minutes later, he doubled the lead after referee Chris White played a long advantage to Wasps before going all the way back to the original offence for not releasing.

Saracens struggled to retain possession, making six handling errors in the opening quarter - and there was little about their performance to reflect their status as title-chasers.

Cipriani missed two further penalty attempts from inside his own half before the half-hour, the first dropping just under the crossbar and the second coming back off an upright.

Wasps also dominated at the scrum, referee White awarding three penalties against Saracens at a five-metre scrum before sending prop Richard Skuse to the sin-bin in the 38th minute.

Cipriani lit up the start of the second half with a searing break from deep before throwing a splendid reverse pass to Paul Sackey, but the wing's pass eluded his support runners.

Cipriani landed his third penalty before Saracens started to build some pressure, only for Hougaard to frustrate the visiting support by attempting long-range, off-target, drop-goals.

Cipriani was replaced by Dave Walder with 11 minutes left, leaving the field to a warm reception from the home support.

Wasps rugby director Tony Hanks: "Watching Danny make those trademark breaks sometimes is heart-in-the-mouth stuff as coaches, but he played well, kicked his goals and the way he has approached training has been very good.

"Sometimes when a guy makes a decision like this, he settles down and gets on with his rugby. He really fronted up against Saracens, faced their big guys and did everything asked of him".

Wasps head coach Shaun Edwards: "Keeping an opponent to zero is a bit special in this league, and we are proud of that.

"But next we go up to Leeds, a team who beat us at home and a team really beginning to make their mark in the battle for survival."

Saracens rugby director Brendan Venter: "I think the first half was very difficult because we played very badly, lacked intensity and they could have scored two tries against us.

"It was a disappointment because our intensity is what we pride ourselves on.

"But we played much better in the second half, produced the better rugby and I find it astonishing that we did not receive one penalty.

"It's a tribute to their discipline in defence, but I do find it amazing that not once did they stray offside, put a hand in a ruck, commit any penalty offence."

Wasps: Van Gisbergen, Sackey, Jacobs, Kefu, Varndell; Cipriani, Fury; Taulafo, Webber (capt), Broster, Veale, Skivington, Worsley, Betsen, Ward-Smith.
Replacements: Matthews for Betsen (54), Robinson for Fury (66), Walder for Cipriani (69), Lemi for Varndell (74).
Not Used: Ward, Bocca, Baker, Ellis.

Saracens: Goode, Cato, Ratuvou, Barritt, Wyles; Hougaard, de Kock; Aguero, Reynecke, Skuse, Smith, Ryder, van Heerden (capt), Saull, Joubert.
Replacements: Tagicakibau for Cato (48), Gill for Aguero (50), Brits for Reynecke (50), Botha for Ryder (50), Marshall for de Kock (59), Burger for van Heerden (64), Jackson for Hougaard (69).
Not Used: Mercey.

Sin Bin: Skuse (38).

Att: 8,530

Referee: Chris White (RFU)

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