Masterful Evans’ fond farewell to the Stoop

WASPS failed to secure a home playoff semi-final slot as Harlequins stunned them last night. Quins’ Nick Evans, on his final appearance at the Stoop before he retires at the end of the season, signed off in style by kicking 22 points as the leaders suffered just their fourth defeat of the season. Tim Visser scored the key try — brilliantly released by Chris Robshaw on the left wing. Now Wasps must host Saracens next week hoping they have not missed their chance to play at the Ricoh Arena in the playoffs. Quins, meanwhile, keep their Champions Cup qualification hopes alive, and will hope Exeter Chiefs beat Northampton today as they look to end the season in sixth. The Londoners spurned several opportunities in the first half and for all their dominance trailed 10-6 at the interval. Two Evans penalties were cancelled out by a fine try from Dan Robson. Jimmy Gopperth pounced on an errant high kick from Mike Brown that was not chased properly, and jinked through the defence before popping to his scrum-half, who evaded Marland Yarde to score. Gopperth added a penalty before the break but Quins stormed back. Kurtley Beale rushed out of his line trying to intercept a floaty, wide pass from Evans, but missed it and Robshaw steamed through the gap he had created before feeding Visser out wide. The Evans conversion and four subsequent penalties — one after Willie Le Roux took out Joe Marchant in the air and was sin-binned and the last when Joe Launchbury also saw yellow — took Quins clear. Gopperth did land a penalty in response but Marchant’s try at the death rubbed it in.

NEWCASTLE snatched a 16-14 win over WORCESTER, all their points from Sonatane Takalua including a try on 77 minutes.