Swansea lost their unbeaten Heineken Cup record as three-try Wasps produced an
impressive performance at Loftus Road.
But despite a first defeat in five European starts this season - and a first
in 15 matches in all competitions stretching back to mid-September - the
Welsh-Scottish League leaders remain on course for a quarter-final place.
They tackle competition favourites Stade Francais in Paris next Saturday, a
game which will decide whether Swansea progress as Pool Two winners or claim a
best runners-up spot thanks to their healthy tournament try count.
The All Whites might have had one eye on that Jean Bouin Stadium showdown,
given how they fell away after leading midway through the second period.
But Wasps deservedly took the spoils, steered home by two Paul Sampson tries,
one from England lock Simon Shaw and kicker Kenny Logan's 13 points.
Wasps, already out following three reversals, were clearly motivated by their
54-28 drubbing at Swansea last October as they roared ahead inside five
minutes.
Centre Fraser Waters broke clear from deep inside his own half, found Sampson
in support, and the Wasps full-back gathered a volleyed kick ahead to outstrip
Swansea's retreating cover defence.
Logan converted, but the All Whites were level within two minutes, skipper
Scott Gibbs and full-back Kevin Morgan slicing Wasps open for wing Matthew
Robinson to finish off a brilliant move.
Robinson stung Wasps with four tries at St Helens three months ago, and he was
clearly in the mood for more.
Thomas converted, then kicked a penalty after Logan had edged Wasps ahead,
before Swansea suffered an injury blow when number eight Hywel Jenkins limped
off to be replaced by Paul Moriarty.
Logan twice fumbled high kicks under no pressure whatsoever as both sides
engaged in a sparring bout for the next score after an eventful opening quarter
ended deadlocked at 10-10.
Thomas (twice) and Logan both missed further penalty chances, but Swansea
remained the more dangerous outfit, underlined when scrum-half Sililo Martens
scythed through from deep and centre Steve Winn later left Wasps defenders
trailing, yet such adventure failed to produce a try.
Thomas inched Swansea in front during first-half injury time - Italian referee
Claudio Giacomel penalising Wasps lock Andy Reed - to give them a 13-10
advantage.
Sampson's blistering pace again caused Swansea problems on 44 minutes - only
an unkind bounce denied him a spectacular solo score - but the pressure his
break created, enabled Logan to tie things up through another penalty.
Not to be outdone, Swansea possessed their own creative counter-attacker -
flanker Colin Charvis - whose strength and deft left boot took the All Whites
back upfield, allowing Thomas an easy penalty kick as Wasps infringed.
But Sampson wasn't to be denied, capitalising on an expertly-placed Alex King
kick that gave him a second try with more than 20 minutes remaining.
Before Swansea could recover, they slipped further behind when the Wasps
forwards drove relentlessly from close range and Shaw bundled his way over.
Swansea had no way back after that, despite the occasional attacking flurry,
and Wasps comfortably preserved their lead to record a triumph, albeit
irrelevant in terms of this season's Heineken Cup.
Teams:
Wasps:
Tries: Sampson 2, Shaw.
Cons: Logan 2.
Pens: Logan 3.
Wasps: Sampson, Roiser, Waters,
Henderson, Logan, King, Wood,
Le Chevalier, Leota, Webb, Reed, Shaw, Birkett, Worsley,
Dallaglio.
Replacements: Denney for Waters (68), Leek for King (75),
Macer for Leota (69), Molloy for Webb (70),
Beardshaw for Reed (45).
Not Used: Page, Lock.
Swansea:
Tries: Robson.
Cons: A. Thomas.
Pens: A. Thomas 3.
Swansea: K. Morgan, Payne, Winn,
Gibbs, Robson, A. Thomas,
Martens, Morris, G. Jenkins, Evans, Maullin, Moore, Charvis,
Lewis, H. Jenkins.
Replacements: R. Jones for Martens (70),
Anthony for G. Jenkins (69), Griffiths for Maullin (62),
Moriarty for H. Jenkins (16).
Not Used: C. Rees, Weatherley, Mason.
Att: 6,383
Ref: C Giacomel (Italy).
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