By Jason Harris
September 7 2004

Saracens recorded a rare victory over arch-rivals London Wasps in the second match of the London Double Header at Twickenham in front of 51,000 spectators. Kevin Yates's first half try, a conversion and penalty from Thomas Castaignede and the winning goal from Nicky Little saw Sarries home 13-11. Coach Rod Kafer threw everything into first half attack as he started England back rower Richard Hill who was originally named as one of the replacements and the Men in Black gave their more illustrious opponents a torrid time up front.

Sarries started the brighter of the two sides and went in at half time 10-3 ahead courtesy of Yates's try after Kyran Bracken had broken into the opposition 22 and Castaignede's kicking contribution, with Wasps' points coming from a Mark van Gisbergen penalty. But it could have been 17-3 had the Sarries centre not dropped the ball with the try line at his mercy following a scything break by outside half Mark Bartholomeusz.

After the break, Wasps coach Warren Gatland brought on Josh Lewsey and Alex King and the champions began to look more like the team that did the Zurich/Heineken double last year.

A try from centre Ayoola Erinle and a goal from King put Wasps 11-10 up with time running out but Little, who had ealier missed a long-range penalty and a drop goal attempt, made amends with three points to nose Sarries ahead.

Wasps threw everything at the Men in Black in the dying minutes and could have wrapped things up had Joe Worsley, another of Wasps' England contingient forced to sit out at least half of the game, wasted a three on one overlap in injury time.

As it was, Sarries held on for a victory that will give them a huge confidence boost for the coming term. Wasps, on the other hand, won't worry too much as their only win on the opening day in the past six seasons was a narrow one over Sarries back in 2001. They'll be back, let's hope Sarries will be too.