Mon, Dec 17, 2007 - Page 18 News List

HEINEKEN CUP: Wasps edge closer to European Cup quarter-final place

AFP , PARIS

Defending champions Wasps edged closer to the European Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling, hard-fought 25-24 win over highly-fancied French outsiders Clermont on Saturday.

Wasps lost 37-27 to Clermont last weekend, but the French outfit initially struggled to contain the Danny Cipriani-inspired Londoners whose free-running style of attack gave them a 22-3 lead at the break.

Live-wire Irish scrum-half Eoin Reddan opened the scoring for Wasps, pouncing on a mistake by counterpart Pierre Mignoni.

England wingers Tom Voyce and Paul Sackey added two more in a pulsating first half, the latter a length-of-the-field move that featured great hands by Cipriani and center Fraser Waters, with Clermont notching up an Alex King penalty.

But Clermont responded in the second period with two tries from wingers Aurelien Rougerie, with an 80m interception, and Vilimoni Delasau, who sprinted in from 90m.

Former Wasps stalwart King converted both while Cipriani missed a penalty.

A late Cipriani penalty sealed the victory but Emmanuel Etien's try in injury time gave Clermont a precious bonus point.

In Wales, Cardiff Blues pulled off a shock 31-21 win over Stade Francais, denying the Parisian club a vital defensive bonus point and moving into top spot in Pool 3.

Cardiff scored three tries through James Robinson, Tom James and man-of-the-match Paul Tito.

Rookie outside-half Dai Flanagan kicking 16 points to secure victory in the tight pool that also includes Bristol and winless Harlequins.

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