Just before Chris Malone reached over the Wasps try line to secure victory for Bath with a third try, Shaun Edwards shuffled dejectedly from the Wasps pitchside chairs to the bench behind the hordings. Even with 25 minutes of the game remaining, this brilliant ex- Rugby League strategist could see his team would not win on this day and, as the amiable Aussie hammered the final nail in the Londoner's coffin, he slumped down on the bench, heaved a sigh and waited for the referee to blow for the end of the game. 

Even Ayoola Erinle's try three minutes later could do little to raise Edwards' morale. That the referee and touch-judge didn't spot Erinle's left foot caressing the touchline long before he reached the Bath goal line couldn't rouse the Wasps' coach. 

Referee, David Rose, is a favourite on this site given his openness and honesty when discussing matches with the ERE Messageboard glitterati, however even allowing for my blue, black and white tinted glasses, today he seemed to fall under the spell of Lord Lawrence. It appeared that Dallaglio constantly whispered spells in Rose's ear, "We're not offside, we're allowed to stand in front of the back foot, we can tackle the man without the ball, bin their man, bin their man, bin their man!". I've heard a rumour that our opponents are thinking of changing their name to "Offside Wasps" because it's a closer description of them than references to the country's capital.

This wizardry was the only magic his Lordship was able to weave today because his actual rugby skills and match impact, along with his fellow Wasps' forwards, were sadly (for them) lacking. On this form, Andy Robinson will have looked at the aging Adonis and decided he has better options elsewhere. I wonder how a game would pan out if Dallaglio had to play with a lost voice? No doubt in such circumstances he would have perfected the art of sign language moments before kick-off!

Bath started both halves with a try, the first a marvellous Duncan Bell charge at the line. following a pop pass from Nick Walshe and the second coming from Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu in his first game for Bath after being set up by Steve Borthwick who in turn had the opportunity to set up the try after Bory made a great run through the centre of midfield. 

Fuimaono had a fine first game, showing lots of pace and making space in the centre and his good hands were clearly demonstrated when a hard hit dislodged the ball from his grasp but he was still able to recapture it and carry on his move, and all with a couple of blokes hanging on to him. However Fuimaono may have to sharpen up his tackling if he is to make a real mark in the Premiership. Chris Malone scored the rest of Bath's points with a performance that will both please and disappoint him.

Malone's kicking from hand was interesting this week. He was charged down after 30 seconds and a few early aimless attempts were replaced with the sort of "up and unders" that would have made Eddie Waring truly excited. This was a good ploy as the ball floated tantalisingly in front of the Wasps' twenty-two with both Crockett and Fuimaono challenging Lewsey for everything. However, had Malone's whipped pass out wide been intercepted by Sackey towards the end of the first half things could have been very different because there was no cover between the Wasps' winger and the Bath goal line.

Today, Bath's game looked quicker in the loose than I've seen in ages and the fact they were offloading the ball either before or in the tackle, instead of taking everything to ground and then re-cycling, gave them options they've denied themselves for so long. The backs ran on to the ball as "Attacking Evangelists" rather than "Rugby Apologists" and David Bory made some lovely slashing runs through the Wasps' defence and I wasn't surprised to hear he was voted Man of the Match by Mr Barnes as I walked from the ground. A Bath back as MOTH instead of a forward - ah bliss!

I was unhappy with Maddock at full-back. He's too small, can't kick and makes little ground from this position. Losing both Perry and Best is bad news, and with Stephenson doing little to persuade me he's an adequate replacement at No 15 I think this could be as big a weakness as we've go at fly-half. Maddock is a winger, and a damn fine winger at that, and I would sooner see him in that position in place of Higgins. 

Wasps looked a bit like Bath during the bad times, with little progress being made for most of the game with the odd bit of sparkle sprinkled in for good measure. Stuart Abbott made one run where he turned Maddock inside out and for a moment (and it was only a fleeting moment) I though BOD had returned. But unlike the Irishman, Abbott was unable to turn the game on his own and the visitors never really looked like threatening Bath's winning status.

Last week I predicted a win for Bath and this week a win for Wasps. Shows what I know about rugby! Well done Bath, a fine performance. Judging by this I can see improvements already. Watch out Bris, we're catching you.

Finally can I say how great it was to see that well know Drunken Wasp, The Colonel, before the game. His crew (or is it Massive?) are hitting the streets of Bath tonight for a curry and plenty of beer - be warned!

Referee: David Rose (assisted throughout by Lawrence Dallaglio)

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