By Loose Head
February 12 2003

Wasps are continuing their good form of late to set about demolishing teams. The score may not appear a "demolition", however 2 tries missed by the ref accounts for a further 14 points gone missing. Still, 5 points gained and very welcome. The big difference between this year and last is that individuals have stepped their game up a good few notches. The defensive work is coming to fruition with London Irish – in the form of Sackey – notable as the scorer of the only try against us in three games.

The game started at quite a pace, with the traditional penalties being conceded. The attitude of the teams was apparent when Everett for LI opted to kick for goal whereas Wasps took the more ambitious kick for the corner. Everett had an absolute mare of a day with the boot, they should have kicked penalties to the corner for a lineout, at least it would have meant there was a chance of a score.

The first score came on 10 minutes. A Wasps scrum just inside the LI half. Ball passed to Joe Worsley who popped to Josh Lewsey off his wing and going like an express freight train. He made the run in look easy, which I suppose it was if you are that quick and at an angle that cuts the defence to bits!

The Wasps forwards are growing in power and effect. The control of the scrum is plainly not just a lucky one-off. It happens week after week. The lineout (whisper this gently) is getting reliable! A serious weapon is from a lineout on the oppo 22. Catch and drive all the way to the line. The forwards drove Irish back and in-field. The defence was committed but creaking. Woody took the ball off the back and dived to score against the post. Problem: the ref missed it! Missing a knock on is one thing, missing a score questions the bloke's ability.

Irish's best move of the game came from a (normally) kickable penalty which they opted to tap and go. The ball was sent out wide to find Sackey too close to the line to stop. With that LI pulled ahead Wasps 7 Irish 8.

Wasps used the next kickable penalty to regain the lead. Just on half time, Wasps had a scrum near the Wasps 22 on the right of the pitch. Pop from the scrum to Josh who was at warp speed down the right wing. Van Gisbergen is no slouch, he managed to be in support as Josh fed the ball to him leaving him clear for the line. The conversion by Alex was the last kick of the half leaving the score at Wasp 17 London Irish 8.

There was a bit of an exchange of penalties to start the second half. The game was definitely in Wasps favour, but in the third quarter there were no tries to show for it, and Wasps needed a four try bonus point.

Alex hoofed the ball for a lineout deep in the LI half. Sackey mis-caught it so Wasps would have a lineout within attacking range. Mapletoft, the Irish fullback, took the ball and belted it down field. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. The easy penalty was gratefully received and popped through for an easy 3 points.

Wasps turned on the pressure with the next penalty going for the lineout. An infringement by Irish gave Wasps the chance to push deeper for a lineout well in the Irish 22. Catch drive and over, or not. The ref was literally correct in that he could not see the ball. Although, Wasps catch, drive, in complete control. I would tend to go with the flow and logic myself. The move off the 5 metre scrum to Wasps was disrupted by Irish, who cleared downfield. Only to find Cheeseburger who came straight back. Fraser Waters was released thought the centre and not even the lightning quick Sackey was able to stop him scoring. At last, at 67 minutes Wasps had try number three. The conversion by Alex had the score at Wasp 30 London Irish 11.

Wasps came back at the restart determined for the bonus point. Josh tearing down the wing again. This time, he was stopped by Horak within yards of the line. Wasps gained a penalty withing the Irish 5 metres. Tap and go. Irish defended but knocked on. The forwards turned up the power. The drive off the scrum saw Dowd over the line definitely without anyone between him, the ball and the ground. Bonus point secured.

Full time came with the score Wasps 35 London Irish 11.