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BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Leicester 14-39 Wasps
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Last Updated: Saturday, 14 May 2005, 16:22 GMT 17:22 UK
Leicester 14-39 Wasps
ZURICH PREMIERSHIP FINAL
Martin Johnson (R) congratulates winning skipper Lawrence Dallaglio
Leicester: (6) 14
Tries: Bemand
Pens: Goode 3
Wasps: (19) 39
Tries: Voyce, Van Gisbergen, Hoadley
Cons: Van Gisbergen 3
Pens: Van Gisbergen 5
Drops: King
Wasps spoiled the farewell party for Martin Johnson and Neil Back as the champions sealed a third straight Zurich Premiership title victory.

Mark van Gisbergen scored 26 points for Wasps including a vital late try as Lawrence Dallaglio led from the front.

The London side had a blistering start and were 13-0 ahead after five minutes.

Andy Goode kept Leicester in the game but Wasps' defence was too strong and tries from Van Gisbergen and Rob Hoadley sealed an impressive win.

With Johnson and Back retiring and head coach John Wells leaving, Leicester were determined to give the trio the perfect send-off.

But Wasps had some farewells of their own and coach Warren Gatland leaves for New Zealand this summer having made a massive mark on English rugby.

Leicester were undone by an immense defensive display from Wasps, who went into the game without a win in their last six contests against the Tigers.

When I woke up all I heard was Leicester, Martin Johnson, Neil Back
Wasps skipper Lawrence Dallaglio

Just two weeks ago Wasps were thumped 45-10 by Leicester but they were not to be defeated this time.

Their aggression in the tackle prevented Leicester from getting any real attacking momentum and full-back/wing turned centre Josh Lewsey typified their commitment.

He was superb in the Wasps midfield and his try-saving tackle on British & Irish Lions team-mate Geordan Murphy was a key moment in the first half.

Wasps had a dream start through Van Gisbergen's early penalty and they went further ahead on five minutes when Ollie Smith's stray pass was picked up by Voyce, who ran in from his own half without an opposing player in sight.

We feel like we didn't do ourselves justice
Leicester's Martin Johnson

Fly-half King added another three points with a calmly-taken drop goal on eight minutes although Goode landed a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10 points.

The game threatened to boil over when Back punched Joe Worsley at the back of a line-out leaving the Wasps man with a bloody face while the Tigers flanker was lucky to stay on the field.

The unlucky Worsley was then taken out off the ball just before the break by Martin Corry and Van Gisbergen thumped over from halfway while another kick after half-time put Wasps 22-6 ahead.

Goode reduced the deficit yet again but in a scrappy second-half Leicester could not get the platform they needed to release their talented backs.

The win was effectively sealed in the closing 10 minutes when van Gisbergen crossed after a clinical counter-attack.

Although substitute Tigers scrum-half Scott Bemand crossed in the corner, Leicester knew the game was up and Hoadley scored in the dying moments to start the Wasps' party.


Leicester Tigers: Vesty (A Tuilagi 69); Murphy, Smith, Gibson, Lloyd (Healey 51); Goode, Ellis (Bemand 19); Morris (Morris 41), Chuter (Buckland 75), White; Johnson (capt), Kay (W Johnson 75); L Deacon (Moody 41), Back, Corry.
Replacements( not used): Hipkiss.

London Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Erinle, Lewsey, Voyce (Hoadley 77); King (Brooks 77), Dawson (Fury 77); Payne (Dowd 72), Greening (Leota 72), Green; Shaw, Birkett; Hart (Lock 77), Worsley (Purdy 77), Dallaglio (capt).

Referee: C White (RFU)




WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio


Interview: Wasps coach Warren Gatland


Interview: Leicester captain Martin Johnson




SEE ALSO
Wasps 43-22 Sale
07 May 05 |  English
Leicester 45-10 Wasps
30 Apr 05 |  English


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