Champions Wasps ended Bath's 11-month unbeaten home record as they won
an intriguing top-of-the-table Zurich Premiership clash 10-6 at the Recreation
Ground .
The eagerly-awaited battle between rival fly-halves Olly Barkley and Alex King
did not directly materialise, as Bath switched Barkley to inside centre instead
of Kevin Maggs, whose Irish Six Nations commitments meant that he missed club
training this week.
Bath, 10 points clear at the Premiership summit before kick-off and boasting
an unbeaten home record stretching back to March last year, paraded Barkley's
fellow England hopefuls Iain Balshaw, Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick.
Second-placed Wasps, led by England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, were in
buoyant mood following an outstanding Heineken Cup victory over Perpignan last
weekend.
But in terms of finishing top during the regular league season, they knew that
a win against their hosts was essential.
Wasps made all the early running, dominating possession after taking a
third-minute lead through Van Gisbergen's 35-metre penalty.
Wing Josh Lewsey went close following a powerful touchline surge, and Bath's
defence had to work over-time in the face of some relentless attacking.
It took a lengthy defensive clearance from fly-half Chris Malone to ease the
pressure, but tempers then became frayed, with Bath hooker Jonathan Humphreys
and his team-mate Andy Beattie both throwing punches.
England World Cup referee Chris White took no action though, and handling
errors crept in from both sides as they tried to establish momentum.
There was further trouble for White to contend with when Bath's former Wasps
scrum-half Martyn Wood and England lock Simon Shaw engaged in a wrestling match
that saw them both warned.
Bath were awarded the resulting penalty, and Barkley made no mistake to level
things up early in the second quarter.
Balshaw required treatment after taking a blow to his back, but he was
immediately pressed into defensive work after Wasps flanker Jonny O'Connor
sprinted 30 metres before being hauled down deep inside Bath's 22.
Barkley missed with his second kick at goal five minutes before the break, and
Wasps replied through a brilliant counter-attack.
Shaw sent ex-Bath wing Tom Voyce clear, and Voyce's well-placed kick was
caught by Van Gisbergen, who sprinted clear and touched down. His successful
conversion put Wasps 10-3 clear.
Although Barkley reduced the arrears through a second penalty, Wasps held a
deserved interval lead.
HT: Bath 6 Wasps 10
Bath, lifted by Barkley's effort, used their forwards to try and gain the upper
hand. Powerful drives by Beattie and Borthwick tested Wasps' defensive
organisation, especially around the fringes.
Prop Matt Stevens, named last week in England's 43-man Six Nations training
squad, replaced Duncan Bell after 46 minutes - while Maggs took over from
Malone, which meant Barkley moved to fly-half.
But another missed Barkley penalty meant Wasps' preserved their four-point
advantage, despite having to soak up sustained pressure.
Even though they continued to infringe, Barkley's radar had gone astray - and
he rifled a third penalty wide from five attempts. It was hardly goalkicking of
international calibre.
Wasps were more than happy to see him struggle, and the final quarter arrived
with the visitors still ahead.
Bath huffed and puffed in an attempt to breach Wasps' mighty defensive unit, and
with just five minutes of normal time remaining, they had a scrum just five
metres out from Wasps' line.
Wasps though, showed great composure to keep their organisation and
discipline, and Bath's efforts floundered when referee White awarded Wasps a
penalty that King gratefully launched into touch.
There was high drama in the closing minutes. Lewsey looked to have wrapped the
game up when he intercepted Barkley's pass and raced 60 metres to the Bath
line.
But White took play all the way back to Wasps' 22 for an earlier visiting
knock-on, causing scenes of animated dismay on the London club's bench.
Still Bath could not score though, and Wasps held on after a scoreless second
period to claim the spoils and close the gap at the top to seven points.
Teams
Bath: Balshaw, Human, A. Higgins, Barkley, Danielli, Malone,
Wood, Flatman, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie,
Lipman, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Maggs for Malone (46), Mears for Humphreys (56),
Stevens for Bell (46).
Not Used: Martens, Crockett, Scaysbrook, Fidler.
Pens: Barkley 2.
Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Denney, Voyce, Waters, A. King,
Howley, Dowd, Leota, Green, S. Shaw, Purdy, Volley, O'Connor,
Dallaglio.
Replacements: Richards for Howley (77), Gotting for Leota (50).
Not Used: Payne, Lock, Skivington, Erinle, Rudd.
Tries: van Gisbergen.
Cons: van Gisbergen.
Pens: van Gisbergen.
Att: 9,980
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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