By Peter Snow's Swingometer
November 5 2004

London Wasps go into tonight's "derby" match fielding our strongest team yet this season. Fully nineteen points behind, Harlequins are also near full complement, although their two latest recruits do not start. Simon Maling begins his chequered career on the bench while Geo Cronje acqaints himself with his team's dogfight from the stands.

The most recent meeting between these brother clubs was reminiscent of recent scraps and it took a barnstorming, stoppage-time try by Ayoola Erinle, leaving three Quins trailing in his wake, and the conversion by Mark van Gisbergen to halt a three-match losing streak.

Whatever the pundits try and make of it, Quins are not our bogey team save for the cup. Our record against them is more even-stevens. What counted for Wasps last February was just more of what Shaun Edwards has tried to instill in us -- plain, old, stubbornness. We continued on our way during an eleven game winning-streak.

In all league games our record stands: Pl 28 W 16 D 0 L 12. How do you like them bananas...?

22 Feb 2004 ZP  22 - 21  Causeway Stdm  
13 Sep 2003 ZP  27 - 33  The Stoop  
10 May 2003 ZP  21 - 25  Adams Park  
17 Nov 2002 ZP  14 - 27  The Stoop  
26 Apr 2002 ZP  16 -  6  Loftus Rd  
22 Sep 2001 ZP  13 - 33  The Stoop  
10 Apr 2001 ZP  38 - 19  Loftus Rd  
 9 Sep 2000 ZP  31 - 18  The Stoop  
21 May 2000 ZP  35 - 32  Loftus Rd  
23 Dec 1999 ZP  52 - 16  The Stoop  
19 May 1999 ZP  20 - 27  The Stoop  
 1 Nov 1998 ZP  21 - 22  Loftus Rd  
12 Apr 1998 ZP  29 - 26  Loftus Rd  
13 Dec 1997 ZP  17 - 53  The Stoop 
 3 May 1997  1  42 - 22  The Stoop
 5 Jan 1997  1  17 - 19  Loftus Rd
 9 Mar 1996  1   3 - 34  Repton Ave
16 Sep 1995  1  20 - 29  The Stoop
14 Jan 1995  1  25 -  7  Repton Ave
17 Sep 1994  1  57 - 26  The Stoop
15 Jan 1994  1  17 - 22  The Stoop
18 Sep 1993  1  18 - 15  Repton Ave
26 Sep 1992  1  15 - 13  The Stoop
16 Nov 1991  1  20 -  6  Repton Ave
22 Sep 1990  1  18 - 12  The Stoop
23 Sep 1989  1   9 - 12  The Stoop
24 Sep 1988  1  23 - 15  Repton Ave
 2 Jan 1988  1  17 - 16  Repton Ave

and the outstanding result was on a barmy, balmy day back in 1994:

Date  League Venue   Result Quins scorers      Wasps scorers
17 Sep  1    The     26-57  P.Challinor(TC3P)  N.Greenstock(2T)
94           Stoop          B.Moore(T)         S.Hunter(2T)
                            C.Sheasby(T)       G.Childs(T)
                                               L.Dallaglio(T)
                                               D.Hopley(T)
                                               D.Ryan(T)
                                               C.Wilkins(T)
                                               R.Andrew(3CDP)

As far as this season goes, Quins form is not reflected on their result sheet. Any team which can go to Thomond Park and hold Munster to a 15-9 scoreline is not far off its prime. They know our game and we know theirs. Expect them to emulate Biarritz rather than Toulouse. They'll kick for territory and try and boss the lineouts or grab the hail Marys. Don't expect excitement!

With Wasps on another roll and near full strength, the old Swingometer points to another home win with Wasps pulling away late on. The Blackened Golds by 9.

London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen; 14 Josh Lewsey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Tom Voyce; 10 Alex King, 9 Matt Dawson; 1 Craig Dowd, 2 Phil Greening, 3 Tim Payne, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Jonny O’Connor, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Trevor Leota, 17 Will Green, 18 Mark Lock, 19 John Hart, 20 Peter Richards, 21 James Brooks, 22 Edd Thrower

Harlequins; 15 Tom Williams; 14 George Harder, 13 Will Greenwood, 12 Dafydd James, 11 Simon Keogh; 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Steve So'oialo; 1 Mike Worsley, 2 Tani Fuga, 3 Ceri Jones, 4 Roy Winters, 5 Simon Miall, 6 Nick Easter, 7 Andre Vos (Capt.), 8 Tony Diprose

Bench: 16 James Hayter, 17 Jon Dawson, 18 Simon Maling, 19 Luke Sherriff, 20 Andy Dunne, 21 Mel Deane, 22 Gavin Duffy

Related links: Wasps Official website | Zurich Rugby for the latest score and commentary.