HEINEKEN CUP, POOL 6 Wasps (0) 9: Pens: King 3. Warriors (6) 14: Try: Havili. Pens: Sweeney 3. Att: 7,502

The visitors' preparations were disrupted during the week, when it was suggested they should combine with rival Welsh region the Cardiff Blues.

But the Warriors produced a ferocious defensive show at the Causeway Stadium against one of the title favourites.

The result turned on a late try from wing Aisea Havili, who dived in at the corner after a Gareth Wyatt chip.

Wasps were stunned by the early ferocity of the Warriors' tackling and for the first quarter of the match struggled to make any headway.

Every time one of the home players received the ball he found at least two fired-up Welshmen in his face, which was particularly uncomfortable for Wasps' own Welshman at scrum-half - Rob Howley.

Fantastic! Well done Thomas and the lads, bet Howley was shocked. From Mark Williams Have your say on Scrum V

Ceri Sweeney, preferred to Neil Jenkins at fly-half for the Warriors, kicked expertly from the hand despite being put under pressure by a Wasps back-row of Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Paul Volley.

His place-kicking was not quite as good, but Sweeney still managed to convert two out of three of his first-half penalty chances to give the Warriors a 6-0 lead at half-time.

With the half-hour mark beckoning, Wasps tried an attacking five-metre line-out, only for Brent Cockbain to rise highest at second jumper and steal the ball for the Warriors.

The ferocity of the visitors' defence at the breakdown saw them overstep the laws of the game with regularity, though, incurring the wrath of French referee Eric Darriere.

I am disappointed but there are no excuses Wasps coach Warren Gatland

The Warriors were fortunate to have lost just hooker Mefin Davies to the sin bin in a first half where they conceded 14 penalties.

Wasps at last gained some reward eight minutes after the break, when Alex King booted a penalty after Howley was hauled back chasing a Sweeney kick he charged down.

But the Welsh loose trio of Richard Parks, Maama Molitika and Cory Harris were becoming increasingly influential, while Cockbain continued his good line-out work.

Sweeney and King exchanged penalties, before King potted his third kick of the night to leave the score level with nine minutes remaining.

Then came the game's defining moment, when Warriors full-back Wyatt put through the sweetest of grubber kicks for wing Havili to gather and score in the corner.

I don't expect Wasps will make the same mistakes next week [when the sides face each other again] Warriors coach Lynn Howells

England full-back Josh Lewsey came racing across but still could not stop the flying Tongan.

Sweeney missed the difficult conversion and a long-range penalty, but the tackling never faltered and Wasps ended still trying to find a way out of their own half.

Wasps at least earned a bonus point, while the return match at the Brewery Field this Friday night promises to provide another intense and thrilling encounter.

Wasps: J Lewsey; T Voyce, F Waters, M Denney, K Logan; A King, R Howley; C Dowd, T Leota, T Payne, S Shaw, M Purdy, J Worsley, P Volley, L Dallaglio (capt).
Replacements: P Greening, W Green, J O'Connor, G Skivington, P Richards, A Erinle, J Rudd.

Warriors: G Wyatt; D James, S Parker, G Thomas (capt), A Havili; C Sweeney, S Martens; C Loader, M Davies, G Jenkins, B Cockbain, D Jones, M Molitika, C Harris, R Parks.
Replacements: M Rees, M Jones, N Kelly, G Morris, G Cooper, N Jenkins, J Bryant.

Referee: Eric Darriere (France).