ELLIOTT STOOKE scored a late try to clinch an impressive 26-20 victory for Wasps against Saracens and secure a fourth successive home win in all competitions.
Stooke touched down on 76 minutes with Sam Spink crossing for Wasps other try whilst Jimmy Gopperth added 16 points from the kicking tee.
Alex Lewington, Tom Woolstencroft, Nick Tompkins scored Saracens’ tries with Alex Lozowski kicking five points at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The result means Wasps sit eighth in the Gallagher Premiership table, as they aim to close the 11-point gap to fourth-placed Gloucester.
Head Coach Lee Blackett was able to welcome back captain Joe Launchbury into the starting lineup as he made his return to action following a nine-month injury lay off with a ruptured ACL.
Wasps started well and took an early lead when Gopperth kicked a penalty on four minutes before Spink broke away for the game’s first try two minutes later.
Spink recovered Marcus Watson’s high kick before producing a stunning offload out the back of the hand to Paolo Odogwu who in-turn found Tom Cruse who set Spink away to score with Gopperth converting.
However, after Gopperth was wayward with a routine penalty attempt, Saracens centre Lozowski reduced the deficit with a penalty of his own.
Veteran fly-half Gopperth then made amends with a well-struck penalty that restored the home side’s 10-point advantage.
Saracens responded with their first try on 30 minutes when Lewington touched down in the corner from Billy Vunipola’s pass with Lozowski unable to add the extras from the touchline.
And the visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time when Woolstencroft powered over with Lozowski’s conversion attempt hitting the post to send the teams in at 13-apiece at the break.
Wasps edged back into the lead early in the second period when Gopperth’s penalty went between the sticks via the aid of the post.
And a sensational drive at the scrum close to the Saracens line handed Wasps another penalty which Gopperth duly kicked to put the home side six points ahead.
Blackett’s side sealed the win on 76 minutes when Stooke touched down from Dan Robson’s short ball with Gopperth successfully converting.
Saracens secured a losing bonus point with the final play of the match when Tompkins crossed with Lozowski’s kick reducing Wasps margin of victory to six points.
Wasps are next in action away at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, February 5 with kick-off at 2.30pm at Sandy Park.
