Bottom-of-the-table Leeds recorded their first win in the English Rugby Premiership this season with a shock 15-9 victory away to Wasps on Sunday.

Fly-half Ceiron Thomas kicked five penalties as Leeds, promoted at the start of the season, won for the first time in the English top flight since defeating Newcastle in March 2008.

"Our increased match fitness since we were last in this league is playing its part," said Leeds boss Andy Key. "It was not the prettiest performance, but we gnarled it out and the players are delighted.

"We never stopped believing after a number of close calls this season. We should have won at Saracens last week but had a good try disallowed, for which we have received an apology.

"The most important Premiership game for us, however, is the next one. We are a team who are developing and growing."

Leeds's former Wasps and England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall added: "It has been a long season already, so this win is a great reward for a lot of hard work, and to win at Wasps for the first time in our history is tremendous."

Wasps left the field to a chorus of jeers from their own fans in a match where three Dave Walder penalties were all they had to show for their efforts.

One highlight was the return of veteran lock Simon Shaw from a foot injury, an encouraging sign for England manager Martin Johnson ahead of next week's clash with Australia at Twickenham.

In the day's other Premiership match, former All Black front-row Carl Hayman played a starring role as Newcastle beat Worcester 14-3.

Victory in blustery conditions saw Newcastle follow up last weekend's win over Bath and Falcons boss Steve Bates said: "Conditions were really difficult, but the win is of massive significance for us.

"We're moving in the right direction - but after winning at Bath last week, it was very important for us not to lose today.

"Had we not consolidated on last week's win, it would have been massively disappointing. In the past, we have been prone to doing things like winning at Bath and then sitting back and letting things slip.

"We talked all week about being single-minded and ruthless - and we have to be."

Worcester coach Mike Ruddock said:"They were certainly more streetwise than us and had the 'nudge' on us in the scrummage in the first half - although we came back at them after half-time.

"Hayman is a mighty 'package' in a good front row where Newcastle are no longer a soft touch."

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