Wasps defeated the Exeter Chiefs 13-7, while there were also wins for the Newcastle Falcons, Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership.
Despite the repeat of last season’s final being a low-scoring affair, two of the most exciting teams in the Premiership combined to deliver end-to-end action across the 80 minutes.
The Chiefs’ second successive defeat in as many weeks sees them relegated to second position in the standings behind Saracens. Wasps remain third, but are now just four log points adrift of their victims.
Wasps held a slender 7-0 advantage at the break courtesy of a Marcus Watson try, which Danny Cipriani converted.
Centre Jimmy Gopperth extended Wasps’ lead to 10-0 early in the second half with a penalty goal.
Things got interesting when hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie went over for a converted try.
But just as it looked as if Exeter were going to seize control, Gopperth nailed a second penalty to help Wasps secure a crucial victory.
In other results, hooker Kyle Cooper scored one of four tries as the Falcons beat Bath 29-12, Saracens won 13-3 away against the Sale Sharks, flyhalf Matt Toomua contributed 23 points – via a try, three conversions and four penalties – to guide the Tigers to a 33-18 triumph over Harlequins, the Saints downed London Irish 25-17 and the Warriors upset Gloucester 25-15.
Round 15 results:
Wasps 13 Exeter Chiefs 7
Newcastle Falcons 29 Bath 12
Sale Sharks 3 Saracens 13
Leicester Tigers 33 Harlequins 18
Northampton Saints 25 London Irish 17
Worcester Warriors 25 Gloucester 15
Photo: @WaspsRugby/Twitter
