Bok scores as Wasps sting Saints

Wasps confirmed they would be a force to be reckoned with this season after a 20-16 win at home to defending Premiership champions Northampton Saints on Sunday.

Tries in quick succession from Springbok Ashley Johnson and England's Tom Varndell turned the match in Wasps' favour, before England fullback Ben Foden's late try saw Northampton claim a bonus point after they had led 9-3 courtesy of three Stephen Myler penalties.

Wasps' win came just over a week after their agonising 34-18 defeat by Saracens – a match last season's beaten Premiership finalists only won off the last play of the game at Twickenham.

"For 80 minutes we stood toe-to-toe with the champions. I'm really proud of the effort – the will to win was outstanding," said Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young.

"It's a great feeling for the players because you don't get to celebrate a win over Northampton very often," the former Wales and British and Irish Lions prop added.

"Over two weekends we've played the two best teams in the Premiership.

"We could have beaten Saracens and found a way to win against Northampton."

Young highlighted the performance of back row forward James Haskell, looking to revive his England career, as key to Wasps' victory.

"James was outstanding – his physicality and leadership," he said.

"People were surprised when I picked him as captain because outwardly he can be a little bit 'showbusiness', but inside the camp he's a real role model.

"His work ethic and professionalism are brilliant. Since Christmas his performances have been top drawer.

"He was up against players competing for England spots, but he was outstanding in all aspects."

Despite global and national directives that referees should take more 'ownership' of key decisions, the television match official, who has already had a notable influence on several Premiership encounters this season, was again involved in a contentious ruling.

The TMO disallowed a 'try' by Northampton's George North after deciding the Wales wing was in front of kicker Ken Pisi before gathering the ball and touching down.

"I was interested by the George North non-try," said Saints boss Jim Mallinder, whose side began their title defence with a 53-6 thrashing of Gloucester.

"I've taken a look at it and from the views I had it looked to be at least even, certainly not in front."

However, Mallinder said of Wasps: "Any team that pushes Saracens and probably should have beaten them can't be underestimated.

"Wasps are a good side. They've improved and will do well this year."

* Sunday's other match saw London Irish record their first win of the season with a nailbiting 20-18 success away to Newcastle.

Argentinean centre Juan Pablo Socino nearly grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for Newcastle but his conversion attempt hit the post.

There was a replay controversy in this match too, concerning the awarding of what turned out to be a decisive try by London Irish's Andrew Fenby midway through the second half.

Blair Cowan's inside pass to Fenby appeared forward and was greeted by a chorus of boos from home fans at Kingston Park.

Referee Andrew Small gave the score but then halted Shane Geraghty as he was lining up the conversion to look at a replay on the big screen before eventually deciding the try was good.

Defeat meant north-east side Newcastle have now gone 18 Premiership matches without a win, their last league victory coming against London Irish back in October.

Sunday's scorers and scorers!

Wasps 20-16 Northampton Saints

The scorers:

For London Wasps:

Tries: Johnson, Varndell

Cons: Jackson 2

Pens: Goode, Miller

For Northampton Saints:

Try: Foden

Con: Myler

Pens: Myler 3

Yellow cards: Ashley Johnson (London Wasps, 29), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints, 29)

Teams:

London Wasps: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Chris Bell, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 James Haskell (captain) 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 James Gaskell , 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Matt Mullan.

Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 John Yapp, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Guy Thompson, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Rob Miller.

Northampton Saints: 15 James Wilson, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 1 Alex Corbisiero.

Replacements: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 James Craig, 20 Jon Fisher 21 Kahn Fotuali'i,I 22 Will Hooley, 23 Ben Foden.

Referee: Luke Pearce

Assistant referees: Andy Watson, Nigel Carrick

TMO: Geoff Warren

Newcastle Falcons 18-20 London Irish

The scorers:

For Newcastle Falcons:

Tries: Furno, S Wilson, Sinoti

Pen: Socino

For London Irish:

Tries: Mulchrone, Fenby

Cons: Geraghty 2

Pens: Geraghty 2

Yellow card: Tom Court (London Irish, 46)

Teams:

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Sinoti Sinoti, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch (captain), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Josh Furno, 4 Calum Green, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Eric Fry.

Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Dom Barrow, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Ruki Tipuna, 22 Alesana Tuilagi, 23 Jamie Helleur

London Irish: 15 Andrew Fenby, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 James Short, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Scott Steele, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Ofisa Treviranus, 6 Blair Cowan, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 George Skivington (captain), 3 Halani Aulika, 2 David Paice, 1 Tom Court

Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Matt Parr, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Tomás O'Leary, 22 Eamonn Sheridan, 23 Topsy Ojo

Referee: Andrew Small

Assistant referees: Gareth Copsey, Peter Huckle

TMO: Sean Davey