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Last Updated: Saturday, 2 September 2006, 17:05 GMT 18:05 UK

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Saracens 19-21 London Wasps

Wasps lock Simon Shaw charges away from Sarries prop Cobus Visagie

Wasps' greater nous prevailed

Saracens: (16) 19
Try: Johnston
Con: Jackson
Pens: Jackson 4

Wasps: (15) 21
Tries: Erinle, Palmer
Con: Walder
Pens: Walder 3

Wasps saw off a dogged Saracens to open their bid to reclaim the Premiership title with a hard-earned win in part two of the Twickenham double-header.

Wasps took an early lead through Ayoola Erinle's try but Saracens hit back with a score of their own via Ben Johnston.

Lock Tom Palmer grabbed a debut try for Wasps but three Glen Jackson penalties put Sarries 16-15 ahead at half-time.

His fourth extended the lead but Wasps cranked up the pressure and two Dave Walder penalties saw them prevail.

Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney:
"We need to play for the full 80 minutes and be more precise in the contact.

"I think Wasps just about deserved to win it.

"All credit to them. Dave Walder played it very smart and kept on pegging us back in the corners."

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan:
"A lot of credit goes to the forwards. They were outstanding. �

"They gave us the platform to control the game, particularly in the last 20 minutes when it was important we gained field position. �

"We scored two good tries. There were always going to be mistakes though because it was first-game-of-the-season syndrome."

Saracens: Scarbrough; Haughton, Sorrell, Johnston, De Vedia; Jackson, Dickens; Yates, Ongaro, Visagie; Ryder, Raiwalui (capt); Gustard, Seymour, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Byrne, Broster, Chesney, Russell, Rauluni, Laidlaw, Penney.

London Wasps: Voyce; Sackey, Waters, Hoadley, Lewsey; Walder, Amor; Payne, Ibanez (capt), Bracken; Shaw, Palmer; Worsley, Rees, Leo.
Replacements: Ward, McKenzie, Hart, Haskell, Reddan, Staunton, Erinle.

Referee: R Maybank (RFU)