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Cipriani's top 20 effort keeps Wasps humming along nicely

RUGBY HEINKEN CUP: Edinburgh 16 Wasps 25  DANNY CIPRIANI put his England misery behind him as Wasps survived a sterling Edinburgh…

Sat Dec 06 2008 - 00:00

RUGBY HEINKEN CUP: Edinburgh 16 Wasps 25 DANNY CIPRIANI put his England misery behind him as Wasps survived a sterling Edinburgh fightback in another Heineken Cup thriller at Murrayfield.

Outhalf Cipriani kicked 20 points in last night's Pool Two clash in a near-flawless display with the boot to keep his side's quarter-final hopes alive.

Tom Rees scored a late try for Wasps, who led 12-0 before falling 16-15 behind thanks to the boot of Chris Paterson and a touchdown from Mark Robertson.

A record Edinburgh crowd of 7,711 for a European or Magners League match watched as Cipriani flighted over a beautiful 40-yard penalty after Edinburgh infringed at the breakdown.

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Edinburgh were struggling to cope with Wasps' blitz defence, highlighted when they were forced right back into their own 22 despite having the ball. The penalty was inevitable and Cipriani made no mistake.

The number 10 was taking the game away from the hosts, two more pinpoint efforts bisecting the posts. Edinburgh needed the next score and were gifted two straight after the break thanks to a powerful start.

Within five minutes, it was 12-9 courtesy of two Paterson penalties.Cipriani turned territory into points with his fifth penalty but Edinburgh fought back with Robertson's try after gathering Godman's crossfield kick in the right corner. Paterson converted to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Cipriani put Wasps 18-16 ahead 11 minutes from time with a penalty and Wasps finally wrapped up victory three minutes from time when Rees bundled over.

EDINBURGH:Paterson; Robertson, Cairns, De Luca, Webster; Godman, M Blair; Jacobsen, Ford, G Cross, C Hamilton, J Hamilton, MacDonald, Rennie, Hogg. Replacements:Kelly for Ford (19 mins), Kerr for Cross (75 mins), Mustchin for C Hamilton (59 mins). Not used:Newlands, Laidlaw, D Blair, Southwell.

WASPS:Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Waldouck, Flutey, Lewsey; Cipriani, Reddan; Payne, Webber, Vickery, Skivington, Birkett, Betsen, Rees, Haskell. Replacements:Shaw for Skivington (54 mins), Hart for Rees (80 mins). Not used:Varley, French, Simpson, Walder, Mitchell.

Referee: C Berdos (France).