While fragile Saracens continue to dither in the doldrums, ambitious Wasps remain firmly focused on a place in Europe. The precious bonus point Sarries salvaged from yesterday's nervy defeat in the sunshine could yet be their Premiership lifeline, as they embark on a series of three tough away games before finishing at home to Bristol.
Wasps, probably to their surprise, emerged from a frustrating dogfight they often looked like losing to find themselves in sixth position thanks to tries by their forwards Joe Worsley and Ian Jones. Despite losing, Saracens leapfrogged over Bath into ninth position, five points ahead of bottom-placed Leeds.
"We cannot seem to grasp a win these days," said the Sarries skipper Tim Horan. "But I'm proud of the boys - they were highly committed and our No8 Ben Russell did particularly well, coming in at late notice for Richard Hill who took ill."
Even so, Saracens tended to find it difficult to translate periods of intense pressure into points largely because Wasps' markers alertly intercepted a succession of ponderous passes to the wings. Kevin Sorrell, a goal kicker with an inelegant shovelling technique, managed to give Saracens a 9-0 lead with three penalties from outside the box, yet one had the feeling that Wasps were capable of moving up a gear and scoring tries.
In fact, it took an hour for them to breach the Saracens' line. A seven-minute spell of persistent scrummaging close to the Sarries posts, prolonged by Russell's committed tackling, culminated in an excellent try by Worsley, who slithered through on the right. King's conversion together with an earlier 50-metre penalty by Kenny Logan nudged Wasps into the lead for the first time.
Sensing that the game was still there to be won, Saracens showed greater enterprise in their movement. However, it took a marvellous solo break by their right wing Ben Johnston to regain the initiative in the 73rd minute: his scorching 60 metre run down the touchline left four defenders for dead en route to a try in the corner.
Almost immediately Wasps scored what proved to be the winning try with a move of deceptive simplicity. When the ball was rucked clear near the left touchline, the substitute hooker Trevor Leota picked up and cantered forward 30 metres before making a neat inside transfer to Jones, who enjoyed his clear run to the post. King made victory certain in injury-time, adding a 30-metre penalty to his conversion points. Saracens, though, were mightily relieved to finish with their bonus.
Saracens: Winnan; Johnston, Shanklin, Sorrell, O'Mahony; Horan (capt), Bracken; Harbut, Cairns, Flatman, Benazzi, Murray, Chesney, Roques, Russell.
Try: Johnston. Penalties: Sorrell (3).
Wasps: Lewsey; Sampson, Waters, Abbott, Logan; King, Wood; Dowd, Greening (Leota 28), Green, Shaw, Jones, Worsley, Volley, Dallaglio (capt).
Tries: Worsley, Jones; Conversions: King (2), Penalties: Logan, King.
Referee: S Lander (Liverpool).
Attendance: 10,431.
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