By Andy Dowthwaite
April 24 2011

Those awfully kind folks at London Wasps had once again invited Bath to their St Georges Day party at Twickers. Very forgiving considering how we had turned up and very rudely ruined last years’ party with an emphatic 35 – 19 win and a hat trick from Don’t Go Joe.  This year a significant number of the core trouble makers were missing - notably Hoops, Shorty, Luke, Butch and Olly out injured and Joe off taking the sun in Italy, surely making our hosts more confident of better behaviour from the visitors.

Unfortunately for Wasps the Bath team that turned up included a host of new trouble makers and, despite a series of positional changes, looked a lot more precise and error free than in recent games. Led by an inspirational Michael Claassens, he set the tone early on for a fast paced attacking game. Acting as kick receiver, loose forward and attacking scrum half he gave Wasps little time to even get into the game and moved Bath into the opposition half where we seemed to stay for the rest of the first half. From an initial Carraro break, good work from the forwards culminated in a swerving run from Bendy (reminds me of the David Duckham step and swerve) who, once tackled, popped the ball to Biggsy for an easy run over the line. 0-7 after less than five minutes the hosts, party atmosphere was looking a bit flat.

 Matt Carraro on the attack

Bath continued to dominate possession and to threaten the Wasps line.  Simon Taylor was held up over the line and later Matt Carraro was stopped inches from the line as Wasps conceded a penalty. This was converted by Vesty and after 25 minutes Bath were 0 – 10 ahead, a score line which did no justice to Bath’s dominance. This was soon rectified when after another knock on by Wasps, Classy was first to react and released a great cross field pass to Banners in space who was able to run 30 yards up field, hold the sole defender and with a well timed pass release Biggsy for his second try. At times we do seem to be able to make attacking rugby look easy and this was one of those times. Sam Vesty was successful with the conversion at the score was 0 -17 after 27 minutes.

Nick Abendanon rounds Wasps' Tom Lindsay

On a rare visit to Bath’s half Walder converted a penalty for offside but this was only a brief respite. From a line out near Wasps 22 good clean ball to Lewis Moody at the back of the line allowed a strong burst towards the posts from Classy and with the defence turned and stretched a great inside line from Banners cutting back allowed Classy to twist and pass the wrong way to allow an easy run in for our third try which was again converted by Sam Vesty. 3 – 24 as we approached half time but still time for one more! Yet again Wasps lost the ball in contact on the half way line, Classy again first to react whips out a pass to Mearsy, to Carraro and on to Bigssy 30 yards out. Beating Richard Haughton on the outside for pace before cutting back inside to beat the young full back and bursting another tackle from Richard Haughton Biggsy scored his hat trick and Bath’s bonus point try – and it was only half time. 3-29 to Bath and the party well and truly ruined for the second year.

Tom Biggs Races for the try line

Despite this being a backline looking a bit cobbled together with a first start for Jacques, Banners having his first game at inside centre and Sam starting back at fly half for the first time in a couple of months, this was one of the best halves of the season from the three quarters. The wings were comfortable swapping sides, we had dummy runners (Banners often) that allowed Bendy to exploit a frozen defence, players were comfortable in any position, we ran varied lines of attack and we were fast and precise led by a very lively Claassy. We have shown glimpses of this occasionally in the season and were similarly dominant against Saints. Wasps contributed by giving us plenty of open field ball but the pack were responsible for much of this. Skirving won plenty of turnover ball (including for the first try); Danny, Nacho and Simon Taylor were powerful and direct; Mearsy linked well with the backs; Moody, whilst still looking a little rusty, was the usual pain and the props even carried the ball. This was a first half when we played as a team with accuracy and variety which completely outplayed a ragged Wasps.

Matt Banahan crosses the whitewash for his first try of the afternoon

The second half started in a little more steady fashion with Wasps managing to hold on to the ball for longer periods, but our pack were containing them comfortably. The main concern was Moody who looked to be suffering with his knee, but according to the Independent this was from a knock in training rather than a recurrence of the ligament problems. Wisely, with the game already won he was replaced by Mercer after 50 minutes. With plenty of possession again, a sudden burst of pace from Vesty broke the Wasps line and with a flamboyant sidestep was clear with 40 yards to go. As the defence chased back with a call from Banners he chipped forward for the big centre to collect and drive over the line with Richard Haughton hanging off his back. Video replay gave the try which Sam Vesty converted, 3 – 36 to Bath and this was overtaking the Saints game for points.

Sam Vesty glides through the Wasps defence

At last Wasps managed a response when Joe Simpson showed his vision and pace, managing to race around Guy Mercer and sprint for the line with Jacques only just keeping pace (but not closing)as he scored under the posts. He is a great player and seems to revel in playing against us. Fortunately the try fest wasn’t finished, turnover ball again allowed Vesty to release Guy Mercer and showing a fair turn of pace himself made a curving outside break before a pass to Biggsy who, with about 2 feet to work in, was able to bound forward before a delicate in field grubber found Carraro on a typical direct forward run in space allowing a clean run in under the posts with Sam Vesty again kicking the conversion for a final score of 10 – 43.

Sam Vesty cues up his conversion

With Wasp’s party well and truly ruined for the second year in a row there were a lot of positives to take from this for Bath. Six tries from an impressive backline with only Jacques not confirmed for next year (and he looked like a good option particularly if Banners plays in the centre); Sam Vesty putting in his best performance for Bath at Fly Half; the line out was secure and provided plenty of attacking ball; Mercer looks increasingly like a perfect back up for Lewis; Ben Skirving again had a great game and Mearsy provided great open field Support. Danny Grewcock looks like he could play on after a dominant 80 minutes where he outshone Simon Shaw but if he retires what a way to finish. Also credit to Nick Blofeld who was out in the car parks thanking fans for attending after the game.

Tom Biggs receives his well-deserved Man of the Match award

On another great day of rugby Tom Biggs was the main recipient of all the team’s good work but he stood out, his third try was spectacular, his “assist” for the last try was outstanding and he worked hard in support all day - Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on Tom – definitely Man of the Match.

 

Photos by James Wain [Ickle]