By Glen Leat
February 7 2004

Wasps dented Bath's winning run and excellent home record in this top of the table clash and the visitors walked off the pitch after 80 minutes basking in the joy of their 10-6 win over the table toppers. All the points were scored in the first half in a low scoring game dominated by the defences.

The game was tough and uncompromising and despite the few scoring opportunities it was exciting to watch the forwards clash ferociously, constantly taking lumps out of one another. The scrummaging was generally a mess, both in terms of the put-in - neither Wood or Howley wanted to concede an inch of advantage and so slowed up this part of play - and the front rows standing up. However the Wasps trio will claim the honours today as they managed to grab a ball against the head. Bath totally dominated the line-out play with Steve Borthwick leaping higher than ever to snaffle opposition ball. Fortunately for Bath, both Trevor Leota and his replacement, Ben Gotting, suffered right "Mares" with their throwing and gifted Bath a number of attacking opportunities.

The only try of the game came from Wasps' full-back, Mark van Gisbergen, who converted his score, and also added a penalty to ensure that all the home side could manage was a losing bonus point. Olly Barkley scored all Bath's points but this was a disappointing day for the young man, who is trying to convince Clive Woodward that he should replace Jonny Wilkinson, as he missed three of his five attempts at goal: all of them within his normal range. The England coach will however be content with the form of his skipper, Lawrence Dalaglio, as he controlled the tempo of the game throughout, ensuring the home side could not pick up the pace in the second half to the extent they desired.

New Wasps star, Jonny O'Connor, nearly scored in his first encounter with Bath as he chased downfield on the half-hour. He brushed off tackles by Balshaw and Wood as he stormed a full 30 yards upfield and it was only a last gasp tackle from Simon Danielli that prevented Wasps scoring their first try. But it was not to be too long before Wasps scored the only try of the game. Alex King set his backs off and running with a wide pass that cut out Bath defenders, eventually the ball arrived in the hands of Tom Voyce who made quick yards, chipped forward and van Gisbergen was on hand to touch down. The Bath defence was as disjointed in this phase of play as they have been all season.

A late penalty success for Olly Barkley saw Bath go in at half time 6-10 down.

Coach John Connolly tried ringing the changes early in the second half with Maggs replacing Malone and Barkley switching to No 10 and young Mr Dynamite, Matt Stevens, replacing Duncan Bell. These changes did up the tempo for Bath but however much they tried, the Bath attackers could not penetrate the tight Wasps defence. The clock kept ticking and the Bath attack kept moving forward but the Wasps' defence was capable of smothering all Bath play and frustraing the home support.

Wasps nearly scored a second try against the run of play after Josh Lewsey intercepted a loose Barkley pass, fortunately for the home side referee Chris White saw a Wasps' forward pass before the interception and so had to interrupt the celebrations to take the players all the way down field for a Bath scrum. Bath had opportunities of their own, once when the Wasps defence was forced to scramble a clearance on their own line and dropped the ball but the Bath attacking force, through Lipman, couldn't take advantage and right at the end when a five yard line-out from a Bath penalty petered out with a simple knock-on.

The Bath backs appeared off the pace for much of the game, as they struggled to get through the very strong opposition defence: the number of times both Higgins and Balshaw lost the ball in the tackle was very disappointing and no doubt something the coaches will be looking at during the next week. Martyn Wood managed to tangle with ex-mates Simon Shaw and Lawrence Dalagllio as well as pushing and shoving Rob Howley at every opportunity. This attitude may just have been that he was well and truly up for this game but I'm to be convinced that this was controlled aggression instead of uncontrolled niggle.

It's disappointing to lose but let's not forget that Wasps are a really good side who know how to win and have some wise old heads in control. Either side could have won this match and I didn't walk out of the ground feeling robbed by the opposition or referee. 

Right I'm off to watch the video to see how differently it looks to my view from just below the West Stand.

Scorers

Bath: Balshaw, Human, A. Higgins, Barkley, Danielli, Malone, Wood, Flatman, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Martens, Mears, Stevens, Crockett, Maggs, Scaysbrook, Fidler.

Wasps: van Gisbergen, Lewsey, Denney, Voyce, Waters, A. King, Howley, Dowd, Leota, Green, S. Shaw, Purdy, Volley, O'Connor, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Gotting, Payne, Lock, Skivington, Richards, Erinle, Rudd.

Referee: Chris White (RFU)