By David Hibell
December 24 2004

This was a game that had everything, great defence, length of the pitch tries, forward battles, bone jarring tackles, tension, extra time and controversies over referee decisions. And if that little lot wasn't enough it had an ineligable player leading to a sting in the tail for Wasps. In the end the extra experience of the Wasps team shone through and they were able to pull clear in extra time but Bristol progress to the next round after an administrative error saw a cup tied player come on as a second half substution for Wasps. The Shoguns players know that they have passed their test with flying colours and can go into the second half of the season with renewed confidence.

Bristol kicked off toward the clubhouse and Wasps immediately took possession, starting brightly and showing great ball retention skills they worked the ball up to the Bristol twenty two, ex Bristol utility back Josh Lewsey making a break down the right wing. Although Rob Higgit put a big tackle in on Lawrence Dallaglio Wasps had a penalty and were 3-0 up courtesy of Mark Van Gisbergen.

Jim Brownrigg took a clean take from the restart and Bristol looked to get into the Wasps half, but strong defence kept them pinned back, after Bristol had gone through six phases without actually getting anywhere, Ross Blake went for the dummy fed Jason Strange and Wasps had the throw at the line out.

Adam Billig came on at this point for the first of two blood substitutions for Rob Higgit and we were only just in the fifth minute.

Wasps win the line out but Bristol force them to knock on, Jim Brownrigg goes from the bass of the scrum and Bristol are rewarded with their own penalty after going through four phases of play. Jason Strange levelling the scores from 30 yards out.

Wasps claim the restart and despite a cover tackle by David Hilton on Alistair McKenzie the Wasps prop was able to slip the ball to his scrum half and Harvey Biljon was able to race over in the corner for the first try of the match, Van Gisbergen converting to give Wasps the early, much deserved, advantage.

Fully patched up, Rob Higgit returned to the fray, and though Wasps again claimed the restart they were pulled back for crossing but the usually reliable Jason Strange pulled his kick left. Wasps kicked the resulting twenty two restart deep to Sean Marsden who passed inside but Bernardo was unable to reach his chip ahead first and Wasps again kicked deep.

Bristol again moved the ball away from the point of attack before kicking back, Wasps ran it back, but Stuart Abbott knocked on. The front rows kicked off at the scrum, with both packs getting to know each other much better, and the referee yellow carded Wasps prop Henry Nwume. Bristol were not able to make their numerical supremacy tell, and although they won their line out after kicking to the corner and getting the shove on the Wasps pack was able to contain and then repel the attack. Bristol spread the ball left and Jason Strange made a half break but was penalised for holding on and Wasps were able to clear to their ten yard line.

Ben Gotting’s throw was not straight though, going behind the Wasps line out but although Bristol were able to get hands on the ball Wasps maintained possession and get given the put in despite the advantage being signalled to Bristol.

Wasps were then awarded a penalty at the next phase and were able to apply pressure again finding touch on the Bristol twenty two. The catch and drive from the line out gained a good ten yards before Wasps spread the ball right, the Bristol team having a taste of their own medicine as the ball was spread left and right looking for the opening before a Wasps handling error gave the ball back to Bristol.

Bristol again ran a back row move but the chip ahead from Ross Blake went out on the full from outside his twenty two and play was called back as another Bristol old boy Peter Richards, came on for Stuart Abbott.

The Bristol players looked to have a lot more self belief now and started to force more errors into the Wasps game, winning a penalty they gained good position in the Wasps half, Ollie Hodge claimed the line out, Darren Crompton found Jim Brownrigg who stood James Brooks up with a dummy that Saul Nelson would have been proud of before running in to score beside the posts with Strange converting.

Bristol forced another error from Wasps on the restart, Stortoni then took the ball on, flicking an inside pass to Rob Higgit but unfortunately it went behind the Bristol centre. Wasps were able to add their second try through Josh Lewsey taking advantage of an overlap to score on the right wing, Van Gisbergen again converting. Almost from the restart Wasps stretched their lead with a further try, this time from Tom Voyce, questions were raised in the stands about the first few passes in the move being forward, but nobody could deny that the handling was crisp as the ball made its way through several pairs of hands in a flowing move before the flying winger scored.

Strange was able to add three more points to Bristol’s total on forty minutes after again pulling a penalty attempt to the left and at half time Bristol were 13-24 down, needing to score first to stay in the game.