WASPS continued their 100 per cent record at their new home in Coventry after beating Sale Sharks 41-16 at the Ricoh Arena.
Despite the chilly and misty conditions, over 15,000 people watched Wasps produce another superb performance as they recorded a bonus point win to move up to fourth in the Aviva Premiership table for the first time this season.
Tries from skipper James Haskell, Nathan Hughes, Joe Simpson (2) and Ashley Johnson, combined with another excellent kicking performance from Coventry-born Andy Goode, made it two wins out of two for Wasps at the Ricoh.
And Wasps director of rugby, Dai Young, said he was pleased to deliver another win in front of an impressive turnout.
He said: “The support we’re getting from within Coventry and Warwickshire, on top of our loyal season ticket holders, is phenomenal.
“The crowd was excellent again. The supporters were very vocal and really got behind the team.
“Now we’ve got a responsibility to make sure we deliver on the field to give them the performances they want to get behind and want to keep coming back to watch.
“I mentioned to the squad before the game, we’ve also got a responsibility as a group of players and coaches, because our off field staff are certainly delivering.
“To have 28,000 in our first game here and then over 15,000 on Sunday, they deserve a real pat on the back for all the hard work they’re doing.
“We’ve had two big performances here, two big crowds, so we’ve got to keep that going and turn the Ricoh into a real fortress as soon as possible.”
A fifth consecutive win sees Wasps reduce the gap of third-placed Saracens to just three points.
But Young is fully aware that his side have a long way to go before they can cement themselves in the top four.
“The top four is a nice way to start the year, but we know there’s still a long, long way to go,” he added.
“We’ve just got to focus on the top six. It’s so tight, once you start thinking you’re the finished article or you’ve made it, you can start to slip down the table very quickly.
“So we’ve got focus on getting in the top six and there’s still more work to be done yet. We can only take it one game at a time.
“You never get a complete performance and there are always plenty of things to work on, but certainly the positives hugely out-weighed any negatives.”
Wasps skipper James Haskell scores the first try of the match. (s) Photo courtesy of Wasps/Richard Lane
