It must be frustrating for the likes of Steve Borthwick, Michael Lipman and Andy Beattie as they struggle to stay on the fringes of the England set-up whilst playing a leading role in what must be the most effective pack in English rugby. Once again today the Bath eight dominated their opponents for most of the game both in line-outs, scrums and the loose, setting the platform required for Malone to secure four kicks for victory. But for once it wasn't all plain sailing for the Bath forwards and several errors at key moments could have turned this match in favour of the home side had they been in the sort of form one has come to expect of the insects. 

After winning a scrum against the head deep in Wasps' territory well in to the last quarter of the match, Bath managed to lose their own scrum (not something you see very often these days) and Josh Lewsey dashed 60 yards up-field turning desperate defence in to a positive attack which kept Bath on the back foot for some five minutes. The Bath defence held out the swarm of black invaders but eventually something had to give and Wasps slotted home a penalty. Four minutes later they had another penalty as Mark Van Gisbergen punished Steve Borthwick for running offside in his enthusiasm to break up another Wasps attacking play. This took the score to 9-12 and it was anyone's match right up to the final whistle, which appeared startlingly early!

For Wasps this was defiantly a game of two halves. In the first half they seemed quietly confident that Bath's limited game-plan would provide the home team with numerous opportunities to grab the points. And so it seemed for the first 30 minutes, as Wasps dominated territory and meaningful possession. Bath's penalty count had reached half a dozen before Wasps conceded anything to the visitors. In the second half Bath grabbed the initiative from a dopey looking team and never looked back, though they had to hang on for the final 10 minutes when the home team suddenly awoke from their slumbers and realised the game was slipping away from them.

After being the hero last week at Sale, Chris Malone very nearly tuned in to his latent villain status by fluffing his second (simple) kick at goal and demonstrating why his passing skills frustrate so many people. However he kept his nerve for the other penalty attempts and generally linked up well with Olly Barkley in the centre.

Alex Crockett had a smashing little game on the wing, Matt Perry looked totally assured under the high ball but rusty in all other elements of his game. Nick Walshe has claimed first spot at scrum half with another positive display, his box kicks are tidy and accurate but I do wonder if he opts for this ploy a little too often. Perhaps he not too certain about what will happen outside him if he tries to open the game out wide or maybe the coaches told him to keep the ball down the field at all times. One time this option so nearly paid off when Andy Beattie chased after a bouncing box-kick, hoofed it forward and was just a few feet short of pouncing on the ball for a well deserved try.

Danny Grewcock once again secured his place as premier lock in the country and his removal after 68 minutes, to be replaced by a very hirsute Rob Fidler, must have been a relief to Andy Robinson. Dallaglio will have been pleased to see Danny leave as well after several little spats between the ex-international colleagues, one of which encouraged the home crowd to bay for the bin for Grewcock. As it was, the only person to sit on the "yellow chair" this week was an unlucky Jonny O'Conner, who to my eyes was singled out for punishment purely because the referee knew someone in the Wasps pack would have been up to no good at some time in the match and he just happened to catch the refs' eye at the wrong time!

I thought referee Pearson had a good game, keeping control of his assistant (Dallaglio) throughout. However he did seem a bit whistle happy at the start of the game but maybe that's because he was constantly penalising Bath.

This was a damn good win for Bath, taking us back to fourth spot in the league, still in touch with the play-off places.

A home win against Leicester next week will be tough but it's possible given the buzz the squad will get from this victory.

Well done Bath, a win of which we can all be proud - and on the "tele" as well!! 

Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Lewsey, Hoadley, Erinle, Voyce; Brooks, Fury; Dowd, Gotting, Payne; Shaw, Birkett; Dallaglio (capt), O'Connor, Worsley.
Replacements: Barratt, Green, Rees, Skivington, Biljon, King, Thrower.

Bath: Perry; Crockett, Higgins, Barkley, Williams; Malone, Walshe; Barnes, Mears, Bell; Borthwick (capt), Grewcock; Beattie, Lipman, Feau'nati.
Replacements: Ward, Stevens, Scaysbrook, Fidler, Best, Wood, Davis. 

Referee: Dave Pearson

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