Rotherham crashed to their 10th defeat in 11 Premiership games when they were
crushed by Wasps at Clifton Lane.
The bottom side had no answer to the power, skill and aggression of the Wasps
forwards who tore into their Rotherham counterparts throughout the second half.
Rotherham had competed well in the first half and led 12-3 at the interval
thanks to three penalties and a drop goal by their South African fly-half Luke
Smith.
No one could have foreseen Rotherham's collapse after the break as Wasps
gradually exerted control of possession and territory.
The first of their three tries came on 51 minutes when Alex King touched down
and, with Kenny Logan converting, Wasps reduced the gap to 12-10.
Rotherham were still in the game at 15-10 following Smith's fourth penalty on
55 minutes.
But Wasps forwards inspired by Joe Worsley dictated possession and it was
inevitable that further tries were scored even though Rotherham defended their
lines with great commitment.
Wasps took the lead for the first time on 75 minutes when Logan's third
penalty put them ahead 15-16.
With Rotherham fly-half Smith kicking possession straight down the throats of
Wasps' attackers, Rotherham's chances continued to disappear.
Wasps' second try on 77 minutes by winger Shane Roiser put the London side
ahead by six points. His try was down to poor defending and in injury time
Rotherham's defence once more contributed to their downfall.
Fullback Paul Sampson streaked down the middle and after a missed tackle, he
touched down for Wasps third try and with Logan adding his third conversion,
conformation arrived of Wasps' second victory in the Zurich Premiership.
Afterwards Wasps director of rugby Nigel Melville said: "In the second half,
our control was extremely good. We kept our composure, waited for the gaps to
appear and when they did, we took advantage to score tries."
Zurich Premiership man-of-the-match - Joe Worsley.
Teams:
Rotherham: Umaga, Greaves, Hassan, Northey, Simpson, Smith,
Scully, Thorp, Johnson, Turner, Murphy, Kenworthy, Schmid,Spence, Fea'unati.
Not Used: Latham, Garnett, Bunting, Cook, Greeff, Harrison, Dixon.
Pens: Smith 4.
Drop Goals: Smith.
Wasps: Sampson, Roiser, Denney, Waters, Logan, King, Wood,
Molloy, Leota, Green, Reed, Shaw, Birkett, Volley, Worsley.
Not Used: Bijon, Pearson, Leek, Lock, Beardshaw, Macer, Le Chevalier.
Tries: King, Roiser, Sampson.
Cons: Logan 3.
Pens: Logan 3.
Att: 1,770
Ref: Steve Lambert (RFU).
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