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London Wasps showed a clinical edge to beat Worcester Warriors 23-3 and return to the top of the Guinness Premiership.

In a scrappy encounter featuring many uncharacteristic errors, Wasps got the job done thanks to tries from Serge Betsen and Tom Varndell as well as 13 points from the boot of Danny Cipriani (pictured).

In reply Worcester could only manage a solitary penalty from the wayward Willie Walker as Wasps dominated the attacking play.

Wasps wing Paul Sackey made a long-awaited return from a broken leg and put in an all-action display, linking superbly with Dominic Waldouck and Varndell.

Waldouck was the key man though, creating both tries in an otherwise uninspiring game of rugby.

Worcester spent the first 10 minutes under siege from a swarming Wasps attack, making tackle after tackle to keep themselves on an even footing.

They even had the chance to take the lead against the run of play through a long-range Walker penalty, but the Warriors fly-half struck the upright as Adams Park breathed a sigh of relief.

The miss inspired Wasps' best spell of rugby in the first half, Waldouck charging to within 12 yards of the Worcester line before seeing his route blocked. Captain Betsen defied his increasing years to show fine support to his centre and carried over for a converted 7-0 lead.

Wasps were in the ascendency and spurned further chances to score, kicking to touch rather than aiming at the posts from a couple of penalties, and they should have seen their lead cut by half-time.

Once again it was the kicking of Walker that let the visitors down, this time missing a hugely presentable kick to end a very disappointing first half.

A solid Worcester outfit had to find some points but were not helped by Walker again after the break, who executed a terrible drop-goal attempt.

Varndell and Sackey tried to bring some quality to proceedings, some electric rugby giving Cipriani the opportunity to land his first penalty from distance for 10-0.

England man Cipriani added another three with the boot to make it 13-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

Worcester searched desperately for a way back into the match, throwing on former All Black Rico Gear, but even when they produced a flowing move across their backline they still failed to trouble the scorers.

Walker eventually got the visitors on the board with less than 10 minutes remaining but Wasps nipped any comeback in the bud immediately, Cipriani finding the posts from the pocket.

Waldouck's chip ahead in injury time then allowed Varndell to round off the victory as Wasps returned to the top of the table.

Ben Blackmore / Eurosport