Wasps had by far the better of the opening exchanges and things looked ominous when they raced into a 12 - 0 lead with feer than ten minutes played.  The first try from Waldouck saw him chip the defender on halfway, catch the ball and race round Luke Arscott for a converted try.  The second was more conventional as quick ball from a five metre lineout lead to an overlap that was ruthlessly exploited to bring up a 12 - 0 score.

Bristol looked as if they might be on for a hammering, but a penalty from Ed Barnes saw Bristol on the board.  Powerful forward play from Bristol, reminiscent of last week's final few minutes against Gloucester, forced a turnover.  David Lemi chose to kick ahead and the unpredictable bounce took it away from the Wasps fullback and back to the racing Lemi.  He wisely offloaded to the supporting Rob Higgitt who went over for an unconverted try.  The gap was surprisingly narrowed to 12 - 8.  Sadly Bristol were unable to sustain the momentum and soon gave away a penalty that van Gisbergen sent over for 15 - 8.

Bristol were rapidly back on terms when Antony Elliott made a fine break and was held up over the line.  From the scrum the ball went wide to the instigator of the move and Elliott went over for a try that was well converted by Barnes to tie the score at 15-all.

The second half saw Bristol take the lead 15 - 18 from a Barnes penalty.  Wasps hit back with some strong forward play of their own.  Initially the ball was held up as they drove over the line but quick recycling saw Ward power over for a try converted by Walder and a 22 -18 lead.  Bristol showed that their forwards were equally adept and Scott Linklater scored his second try in two games following a well marshalled kick-and-drive.  Richard Hill spoke pre-season about how Bristol had worked on the short range driving try, but it is only now we are seeing the results.  Barnes made another good conversion to Bristol back into the lead at 22 -25.  The lead was fortuitously extended when the former Bristol player Lewsey knocked on and saw David Hill seize the ball and feed Elliott who just about reached the line for 22 - 30 lead.

Wasps edged closer as the match moved into the final quarter with a Walder penalty and a score of 25 -30.  Bristol looked to have sealed things when Andrew Blowers dashed down the wing.  With the defence bearing down he seemed to look around for support with a curious uncertainty that we have seen before when he gets into space near the line.  As he attempted to accelerate again he stumbled, Palmer tackled but Blowers looked to have dabbed the ball over the line.  Startlingly, the referee disagreed with my opinion and ruled a knock-on.  I'd like to see that one again on TV.  Wasps took advantage of the let-off and worked their way back to the Bristol line.  They battered away at the Bristol defence which conceded a number of penalties without the referee having the resolve to issue a, perhaps, deserved yellow card.  Eventually he lost patience and Blowers took the walk of shame.  Still Bristol hung on under tremendous punishment.  Well into a remarkably long ‘injury' time, over eight minutes, the hosts finally forced their way over and the scores were tied at 30 - all.  Heartbreakingly, Walder was unerring with the conversion and Wasps ended up winning 32 -30.

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