Goode stars for Sarries
Alex Goode booted 17 points in Saracens' victory over Wasps
Last Updated: 12/02/12 7:41pm
Alex Goode scored 17 points with the boot for Saracens at Adams Park to inflict a seventh successive defeat on Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.
Wing James Short was the only man to cross the tryline for Sarries but full-back Goode slotted five penalties to make sure the defending Premiership champions secured the 22-17 victory with some comfort.
The victory puts Saracens three points behind leaders Harlequins, while Wasps hold a nine-point gap over bottom club Newcastle going into a run of tough matches against Exeter, Sale and London Irish.
Saracens were without five England internationals but they dominated the first half and were unlucky to be only two points up after 40 minutes.
Wasps looked more lively in the second period as scrum-half Joe Simpson - who only arrived back from Rome on Sunday morning after acting as a non-playing reserve for England - joined the fray with 10 minutes gone.
The hosts, who had made 10 changes to their side, made an encouraging start as number eight Billy Vunipola and hooker Tom Lindsay crossed in the first 22 minutes.
Battering
Vunipola made some battering runs from the base of the scrum during the opening minutes and popped up on the left to take Riki Flutey's pass and touch down, with Nicky Robinson converting.
Sarries responded immediately though, with Goode slotting two close range penalties within the next five minutes.
Shortly afterwards the visitors benefitted from a stroke of luck, when Short snatched Vunipola's high pass and sprinted in from the halfway line for a score that Goode converted.
But Wasps struck back as Lindsay ran on to a kick from Robinson to score. The hulking hooker collided with the post but the video official confirmed that he held on as he went to ground.
Robinson again added the extras to edge the hosts back in front but Goode's third penalty ensured Saracens went in at half-time 16-14 ahead.
He took the lead out to five points three minutes into the second period with another successful kick before Robinson cut Sarries' advantage back to two points with a 68th-minute penalty.
Goode however had the final say, slotting his fifth penalty to make the result safe.
