Aviva Premiership: Wasps 19 Exeter 16

London Wasps secured a welcome home win against Exeter Chiefs. Andy Goode's last second dropped goal denied the visitors a share of the spoils after Wasps has clawed back a ten point first half deficit.

The Chiefs had opened their account with a 20 metre snipe by scrum half, Dave Lewis. An exchange of penalty goals - two by Exeter's Henry Slade  sandwiching a monster Elliot Daly 50 yarder were the only items to trouble the scorer further in the opening half.

Wasps got the upper hand for most of the second half and narrowed the gap to 9-13 through two penalty goals by Andy Goode.

Joe Simpson then redeemed himself for being caught off guard in the first half. Twice over! First, by sniping from the base of a scrum himself just after the hour mark (Goode added the extras to stretch Wasps' lead to three points). Second, by preventing Slade from scoring by holding him up in goal (according to the TMO, and the commentators, too). These efforts alone were worth three Premiership points.

Exeter appeared to have bagged two points when Slade added his third penalty kick with eight minutes left. However, Wasps had other ideas.

A poor clearance kick by Exeter allowed Tom Varndell to field the ball with a foot in touch. The lineout gave Wasps an opportunity to launch a final sortie from just outside Exeter's 22. Goode dropped deep and dropped the match-winning goal just as the contest reached no side.

So Wasps' successful home form returns, hoisting the team up to sixth, just one point behind Leicester and Harlequins. Exeter continue to plummet, having lost seven matches out of the last eight.

Wasps must guard against the dreadful run of results which scuppered last season's renaissance. A top four place is within reach and an Amlin Cup quarter final also beckons. Despite suffering injury woes in the three quarters, Wasps should ensure they now push on in 2014.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!