What a drama during yesterday's pulsating encounter in Pool 2 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry!
Leinster, three time champions of Europe, secured a place in the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup, but the Waspies also made it to the quarter - finals. Andy Goode had a chance to snatch a dramatic victory with a last-minute drop goal, but it was off target, but it was not meant to be - Wasps finished as runners- up due to a better head - to - head record with Harlequins.
The hosts started the game on the back-foot, being reduced to 14 men in the opening minute of the match.
By half time they appeared miserable, heading towards a definite catastrophe.
The Boys in Blue accumulated a commanding 20-6 half-time lead thanks to tries from winger Fergus McFadden, in the 2nd minute, and substitute scrum half Isaac Boss, who touched down just before the break in 37th minute. Penalties from Ian Madigan and Jimmy Gopperth topped up the Irish side's lead to 14 points.
Only points won for the hosts in the first interval were from two penalties scored by Andy Goode.
But after the interval the game was turned upside down!
The Boys in Blue did not manage to score any points after the break, which was dreadful, while the hosts claimed 14 points; converted tries from England prop Matt Mullan, in the 61st minute, and Nathan Hughes seven minutes later, turned the game on its head for the hosts.
Goode, then hit the post with his conversion at the second attempt, to add to the drama, but he was allowed to retake it for two Leinster players had rushed out too soon.
The group scoreboard would look differently if Ian Madigan did not miss one of his four penalties for the Irish side and if Andy Goode did not miss his high - stakes, last-gasp drop goal; but the match finished as a draw 20-20 and it was one of the most encapsulating games of the competition so far.
The Boys in Blue are in the quarter - finals as Pool 2 winners; the Waspies are runners - up, but their fate is in the hands of two other English teams today, namely Saracens from Pool 1, and Bath, from Pool 4.
