Leicester's unbeaten league record at home rose to 56 matches but whereas the champions used to finish off teams with a flourish they are now limping towards the final whistle.
Lowly Bath held the Tigers to a two-point margin last month and Wasps might have secured their first league victory in Leicester but for a refereeing decision which went against them in the first half. The Wasps full-back Paul Sampson chased his own kick-ahead only to be impeded by Martin Corry. As Sampson pleaded for a penalty, the Leicester fly-half Sam Vesty caught the ball and kicked downfield only to be late-tackled by Paul Volley whose indiscretion was spotted, giving Tim Stimpson the chance to kick his third penalty of the afternoon: 9-3 to Leicester should have been 6-6.
It was enough to give Leicester victory, though Mark van Gisbergen missed the chance to equalise 19 minutes from the end when he pulled a penalty wide, and Wasps wasted an opportunity to attempt a late drop goal when there was confusion over the move called from a scrum and they were penalised for crossing.
It was that sort of game, totally lacking any sense of direction. The incessant rain made handling hazardous but it was as if the sides had never played in bad weather before, such was the wretched catalogue of handling mistakes and unforced errors.
It was an exhibition which would have disgraced two teams battling against relegation and it exposed the title pretensions of both sides, who stuck to gameplans when improvisation was needed. Wasps lacked belief and their lineout was unreliable.
"It was an opportunity missed," said their coach Warren Gatland, and whereas a bonus point for a visiting team at Leicester used to be something to be cherished, it was scant consolation on Saturday.
"Our home record sets a target for the players and they do not want to lose it," said the Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards.
"Gloucester and Northampton come here this month and there is every chance in the next few weeks that someone will take it off us."
The sub-plot at the weekend was the fitness and form of the players in contention for England's international against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
Austin Healey declared he would be available despite missing the Wasps match because of an Achilles tendon injury but Richards said the utility back was struggling and had to be considered extremely doubtful.
"Austin is in some discomfort at the moment with his Achilles problem and I don't think he'll be able to train with England this week," said Richards. "I would also say he's doubtful for next Saturday."
Healey's England colleague, the flanker Lewis Moody, also missed Saturday's match but Richards believes he should recover from his foot injury in time to take his place against the All Blacks.
Lawrence Dallaglio enjoyed a confrontational afternoon against Neil Back and Corry but it was Josh Kronfeld, playing against the club who had hoped to sign him last month, who most revelled in the conditions. He repeatedly won the battle for the ball on the floor and secured vital turnovers.
"It was old-school rugby," said Dallaglio. "We can turn our attention to international rugby now, but like everyone else I do not know if I will be selected. There are five players vying for the three back-row places and I am nervous about my prospects."
England will need to show more tactical awareness when they face the All Blacks than either side displayed here on Saturday. Leicester started by raining garryowens' on Sampson, who was caught out twice, but they forgot about the tactic and only played the card again in stoppage time.
In between was a void, and avoid was the word.
Leicester: Stimpson; Murphy, Lloyd, Gelderbloom, Booth; Vesty (McMullen, 77), Hamilton; Freshwater, West (Chuter 65), Garforth (Tournaire, 70), Johnson (capt), Kay, Kronfeld, Back, Corry.
Penalties: Stimpson 3.
Wasps: Sampson; Lewsey, Waters, Denney, Rudd (Logan, 63); van Gisbergen, Wood (Howley, 63); Dowd, Leota, Molloy (Green, 63), Shaw, Beardshaw (Birkett, 70), Dallaglio (capt), Volley, Scrivener (Lock, 70).
Penalties: van Gisbergen 2.
Attendance: 16,045.
Referee: C White (Cheltenham).
