Barbeary the rescue

LEE BLACKETT feared his men had blown their European dreams until Alfie Barbeary charged to the rescue and earned them a Challenge Cup semi-final spot.

Barbeary dived over for the match-winning try three minutes from time to break Edinburgh hearts.

The young No8 scored following a driving maul as time began to run out for the English side who were trailing 30-27.

Head coach Blackett said: ‘I didn’t think we started well, our kicking game was poor but then our pack just got a bit of control.’

Edinburgh had led 17-10 at the break courtesy of tries from Ben Vellacott and Adam McBurney while centre Jimmy Gopperth, who had an outstanding game with 19 points, had crossed for the English side.

Props Biyi Alo and Tom West showed off their tryscoring prowess to help put Wasps ahead but, in a thrilling see-saw second half, Edinburgh were back with Magnus Bradbury scoring to lift his side’s hopes.

The hosts edged ahead courtesy of Emiliano Boffelli’s accurate boot but Barbeary was the hero for Wasps with his late try.