Bath
39 – 26 Wasps
What
a weekend for Wasps to travel to the Rec to face 2 nd
placed Bath - after an exciting and emphatic win over the Sale Sharks
the week prior - but that wasn't going to deter blazing Bath from
scorching their visitors in the first half. And even though Wasps
retaliated during the last ten, their fate was sealed, their hopes in
ashes and Bath’s bonus point win cemented, 39-26.
“This
is a great club to play for, I love running out every time, every
time to a packed house here at the Rec. There's a special buzz here,
particularly this season and it was a really special moment for me to
run out first.” said
Dave Attwood.
Early
on, two explosive defensive hits by Burgess knocked Wasps for six and
the Rec roared, as the home side took total control of the game.
Bath meant business and after a handful of punchy phases in the Wasps
22', it was Francois Luow who touched down with George Ford
converting, 12 minutes in.
A
moment’s lapse by Bath however, saw Wasps wasting no time! A huge
overlap out wide enabled Alapati Leiua to score; but luckily for
Bath, formidable Ford slotted a penalty three minutes later to
provide a five point lead. Next, from their own 22', a powerful
attacking back line combination of Jonathan Joseph, Ford and then
Semesa Rokoduguni, managed to shake off defenders and sprint the
length of the pitch with Rokoduguni nudging over and Ford’s boot
obeying, yet again. Commitment clear!
A
penalty from Ford just short of half-time, rounded up Bath’s
burgeoning first forty and what a display from their front row, Nick
Auterac, Ross Batty & Henry Thomas.
It
was everything I'd expected to see from the home side. But I was a
little surprised by the lack of get up and go from the Wasps.
I
really hoped they'd come out fighting in the second.
HT
20 – 5
Well
I’m sure the intent was there ... but this was bouldering Burgess’
time - time to make his mark - with his first Premiership try, six
minutes in and with Ford slotting concisely, Bath started the second
half in another blaze.
That
said, a crafty Nathan Hughes drove over the top of a ruck to score
with ease for the visitors, leaving the Rec perplexed but even with
Andy Goode's conversion, there was still no significant dent in the
score, 27-12.
Well
their was some magic in the air and the Rec did experience a kind of
reversible whirlwind; with tries from Matt Banahan and Ollie Devoto
widening the gap further, 39-12, then Wasps’ Ben Jacobs and Alex
Lozowski scoring two tries in two minutes and with Lozowski’s
conversions, it
definitely turned out tighter than Mike Ford had expected as the game
drew to a close; but Bath saw them off with a good dousing;
“
I
thought every time we put intensity into the game, we controlled
it...where we're sitting in the league is very satisfying at the
moment. I was pleased with our attacking structure.”
said Mike Ford.
FT
39-26
There
were glimmers of hope from Wasps but they stumbled on numerous
occasions and failed to keep any possession.
Even
Dai Young admitted after the game,
“They
were too powerful for us today.”
And
he was right. Bath were adamant this game was going to be theirs for
the taking and they proved it with a style of rugby that was free
flowing and poisonous on the attack with fast offloads and also
structure in defence.
Sam
Burgess shared his delight after this crucial home win;
“It
was a great team performance, for the first hour I thought we were
very clinical, stuck to the game plan very well... it's a good space
to be in as a team where you're winning...”
The
perfect combination that will enable this top West Country pack to
keep winning games. Mike Ford had a vision at the end of last
season. Well done.