Leicester……….38pts
Tries: Jansen 23, Ilione 34, Saumaki 57, Edwards 70, Vanes 75
Conversions: Walsh 24, 35, 58; Meredith 71, 76
Penalties: Walsh 50
Wasps……..17
Tries: Dawkins 11, Hartley 26
Conversions: Haydon-Wood 12, 27
Penalties: Haydon-Wood 30
Leicester Tigers produced an impressive turnaround against Wasps to give themselves a first victory in the Premiership Cup.
A clash of styles ensued in the first period with a Will Haydon-Wood penalty for Wasps the difference, after their tries came from Ollie Dawkins and Olly Hartley and Leicester scored through Sean Jansen and Emikia Ilione.
At one point Wasps had led 17-7, but Tigers equalised through a Jed Walsh penalty, and opened up a seven-point lead through Hosea Saumaki, with Walsh converting.
And Leicester showed resolute defence in the face of heavy pressure from Wasps, before Sam Edwards and Archie Vanes gave Tigers their bonus point and sealed a comfortable victory.
Wasps lose way after strong start
Wasps led 17-7 at one point in the first half, with only a trademark driving maul for Leicester breaking up the Coventry-based side's dominance.
Dawkins latched onto an excellent kick through from Haydon-Wood, and Hartley finished beautifully after a series of great attacking phases for Wasps to give them a seemingly commanding lead.
As well as excellent play from their backs, Sunday's Rugby Paper Young Gun Greg Fisilau was working incredibly hard from number eight to help get his side on the front foot.
But once Leicester fought back, Wasps subsided in both attack and defence; They left the gaps Leicester needed to get Saumaki and Edwards' scores, and failed to get over despite a long spell camped on the Tigers line.
By the time Archie Vanes wriggled over, Leicester were a long way out of reach. Though the final scoreline was undoubtedly a harsh reflection on proceedings for Wasps, they will have to reflect themselves on a poor second period.
Tigers roar back to keep interest alive
For Leicester, this was a competition that saw the likes of Jack van Poortvliet come through just last season, and their interest in progressing will have heightened after an excellent second-half display.
As well as the power game that has brought them so much success since Steve Borthwick took over, and their first and last tries that came directly from mauls, they showed that like Wasps they can string together powerful front-foot phases when they have to.
That was vital for Star Man Ilione's and Saumaki's tries, before Jacob Cusick showed power and quality to break through and feed Edwards for the try that settled it.
Though Wasps' attack lost its bite in the second half, Leicester's defence in the period where their opposition were stationed on their try line was incredibly spirited, and ultimately crucial to the outcome.
It will give them plenty of motivation to keep going in this competition, particularly as they briefly sat top of their group, although Sale – who defeated them last Tuesday – soon leapfrogged them with a win at Kingston Park.
Sharks and Irish go two from two
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Sale and London Irish made it two from two in the tournament.
A Cumbrian combination linked up for a Falcons opener against Sale, as Louie Johnson broke through before finding Marcus Tiffen for a try in the right corner, and Newcastle led 13-7 at the break.
But Sharks hit back either side of the half-time stoppage to lead, Mark Goulray scoring before being narrowly denied a second, with the ball eventually being recycled to Joe Jones to give Sale a one point lead.
They extended it through Cal Morris after his side turned the ball over as Newcastle hesitated in possession close to the line, but Elliot Obatoyinbo latched onto a stray Sharks pass to bring the gap back to one.
But after a James Blackett penalty, Aaron Pope broke from a maul before a Tom Curtis three-pointer gave Sale a lead they wouldn't relinquish, as they ran out 29-21 winners.
Much further south, last year's finalists London Irish looked for much of the game as if they were heading towards a disappointing home defeat to Northampton Saints.
Saints were unable to play their opening round match after the match was postponed following The Queen's death, but they needed no warm-up as they led 19-0 at the break.
Sam Graham smashed his way through before a James Ramm double took Northampton well clear, and though Hallam Chapman's brace and a score for Logan Trotter brought Irish close, Oisin Heffernan's try looked to have been enough for Saints to claim victory.
But an overtime penalty try broke their hearts and kept Irish clinging to their 100% tournament record, as the Exiles look to go one better than last year this time around.
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