Hat-Trick Hero Wade Tames Tigers – 11 Sept 2011
Wasps 35 Leicester Tigers 29
What a breathtaking match! This pulsating encounter played out in the sunshine and showers at Adams Park was only settled in the final moments as Chistian Wade touched down for a memorable hatrick of tries for Wasps to sink the dogged Tigers. Both sides deserve enormous credit for their willingness to play attractive rugby yet Wasps ultimately deserved their triumph for their scoring 4 tries to 2 and for their exhilirating pace, verve and adventure.
Billy Twelvetrees, Leicester’s mercurial no 13, was literally digging them up for his team as he scored all of their 29 points. He scored 2 fine tries which he finished with aplomb, allied to an immaculate display of goalkicking, and it was particularly hard on him to finish on the losing side. Similarly, the Tigers’ outside half George Ford had an excellent match, and his prompting and vision showed signs of a very bright future.
Yet there seems a new belief about Wasps. Youthful exuberance allied to some astute new signings is bringing a renewed buzz. Quick ball is the new mantra and Nic Berry at scrum half showed speed and vision from the base to stoke this upbeat tempo. The forwards fought with aggression and determination, where Joe Launchbury, another 20 year old, continues to impress, and the scrum showed a marked improvement from last week’s mauling by Saracens. Another new man, Ryan Davis kicked 3 goals at the death to secure victory amidst much pressure and he illustrated this new found confidence and belief.
But ultimately the day belonged to one man. Christian Wade followed up his match winning performance at Twickenham last week with an even more striking performance on his home debut. Like Launchbury, he is still only 20, and has massive enthusiasm and appetite for the ball. He has pace to burn and he singlehandedly won the match. His second try, which he finished from inside his own half, was a mesmeric run when not a single Tiger laid a hand upon him, and literally brought the house down. An early contender for try of the season without doubt. He is a real find and another product of the successful Wasps youth academy. On the evidence of the last 2 weeks he has a huge future ahead of him and how often can it be said that a black and gold shirted Wasp resembles a tiger!
11 September 2011