Olly Barkley missed an injury time conversion to deny Zurich Premiership
strugglers Bath a share of the spoils in their final league game this season.
Barkley's agonising failure meant Wasps secured the win after staving off a
spirited Bath fightback.
The home side, spared the prospect of relegation following Rotherham's blocked
path to the Premiership, trailed 17-6 early in the second half before Wasps lost
their way when skipper Lawrence Dallaglio was sin-binned for the second
successive game.
Bath clawed themselves back to 17-14 while Dallaglio was off the field, but
Wasps' former rugby league star Martin Offiah scored what turned out to be the
decisive try.
Offiah - on as a substitute from the first minute when wing Shane Roiser was
carried off after a lengthy delay for what at first seemed a serious neck injury
- showed his trademark pace, sprinting over from 30 metres.
Bath though, dug deep to produce one of their best performances of a miserable
season, and replacement hooker Andy Long's injury time touchdown gave them hope
of a draw and two points which would have taken them above Saracens into 10th
place.
But Barkley sent the kick wide, and Wasps achieved their sixth league win from
the last seven starts to set up a play-off clash at Sale next weekend.
Roiser was able to return to the Wasps bench unaided from 20 minutes after he
was carried off on a stretcher, and watched from the sidelines as the London
side ground out a 10-6 interval lead.
Wing Paul Sampson, sporting a Fredrik Ljungberg red-streak hair style, rounded
off a flowing 21st-minute move, while an Alex King conversion and penalty
eclipsed Bath's two penalties by full-back Rob Thirlby, who took over the
kicking while Barkley was off receiving treatment.
Wasps prop Will Green powered over from a lineout two minutes into the second
period, and with King converting, Wasps looked well on their way to victory.
But when referee Steve Lander yellow-carded Dallaglio for killing the ball,
Wasps quickly found themselves on the back foot.
Barkley kicked a penalty, and flanker Gavin Thomas crossed for a try before
Barkley booted another penalty to tie the scores at 17-17 entering the final
quarter.
Dallaglio rallied Wasps for a final effort, and Offiah's try proved just
enough to clinch victory.
Teams
Bath: Thirlby, Danielli, Cox, Davy,
Voyce, Barkley, Cooper,
D. Barnes, Regan, Emms, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas,
N. Thomas, Lyle, Knox, Delve, Gabey.
Replacements: Knox for Barkley (18), Dalzell for Cooper (71),
Long for Regan (44), Gabey for Borthwick (35),
Delve for N. Thomas (62), Barkley for Knox (30),
Gabey for Delve (74), Borthwick for Gabey (40).
Not Used: Mallett, Crockett.
Tries: G. Thomas, Long.
Pens: Thirlby 2, Barkley 2.
Wasps: Lewsey, Roiser, Abbott, Denney, Sampson, A. King, Wood,
Dowd, Leota, W. Green, Shaw, Jones, Lock, Worsley, Dallaglio,
Friday, Leek.
Replacements: Offiah for Roiser (7), Friday for Wood (65),
Greening for Leota (65), Mackenzie for W. Green (76),
Jenkins for Lock (75), Leek for Friday (74),
Friday for Leek (80).
Not Used: Beardshaw.
Sin Bin: Dallaglio (46).
Tries: Sampson, W. Green, Offiah.
Cons: A. King 3.
Pens: A. King.
Att: 8,000
Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).
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