James Scaysbrook made two major breaks through the Wasps defence, the second of which set up Joe Maddock's second try and this typified his game today. Scaysbrook has always threatened to play his game in a Neil Back/Lewis Moody style but has generally flattered to deceive and has disappointed more than he has pleased. However he was outstanding in this game and totally outshone his more illustrious opponents of Dallaglio, Worsley and O'Connor. It would have been very easy for Ieuan Evans to award Joe Maddock with the gong, for his try scoring exploits, but it was the hard work of Scaysbrook that created the opportunities.

The top player award must have been a close run race with Danny Grewcock. Once again the giant Bath lock dominated the pack and played like a youngster excited about being let loose in the Premiership.  Seeing him charge down Simon Amor's clearance kick and then follow up to scrag the scrambling scrum-half was (almost) as enjoyable as cheering Shaun Berne's slide in to the corner for Bath's third try. If the bookies are taking bets on Bath's Player of the Season I'd close the book on Grewcock right now!

Picture courtesy Empics

Bath dominated the first 20 minutes, as they had the first 10 against Bristol, but then allowed Wasps back in to the game. Two early Chris Malone penalties were followed by Bath's opening Maddock try. The score was mainly due to Grewcock's persistence with Simon Amor and the resulting scrum saw the forwards set up a platform for the backs to get the ball wide for Maddock. But then the rain came, in sheets at times, and the visitors appeared to cope better with the difficult conditions.

Three first half penalties saw Wasps pull the score back to 13-9 at the break.

Picture courtesy Empics

The second half saw Wasps start to take control of the match and the referee awarded a penalty try after just two minutes when he felt Bath had infringed just once too often close to their line. Walder's simple conversion gave the visitors a lead which, it seemed they should build on to take victory. But unlike the Bristol experience, Bath dragged themselves back in to the game and Chris Malone drew the sides level with a penalty. James Scaysbrook once again set up Joe Maddock for his second try with a charging run , the loose forward having played a pivotal role in the first score, and suddenly The Rec was on its feet to cheer the diminutive Kiwi. The rain was forgotten, Ashton Gate was forgotten as the collective noses of one of the "traditional enemies" of Bath Rugby was being well and truly shoved in to the mud.

Picture courtesy Jules

However there was a moment of concern as Bath seemed desperate to let Wasps back in to the game by conceding a penalty from the restart. With the score at 23-19 and with 11 minutes left on the clock this could so easily have been a game where Bath snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Just as we were all sitting on the edges of our seats and gnawing our rain-sodden fingernails up popped Nick Walshe running like the wind down the left wing. He managed to evade a host of would-be tacklers before off-loading to Shaun Berne who dived in to guarantee victory for Bath.

Picture courtesy Jules

Chev Walker looked strong in the opening 20 minutes: his dump tackle on Jonny O'Connor was worth the entrance fee alone. However our Rugby League convert then appeared to drift out of the game. I'm still not impressed by Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, perhaps I'm missing something in his play and I really don't want to see Olly Barkley at full-back again as he looked as comfortable in this position as I was after my huge Christmas lunch. Tom Cheeseman looked out of sorts and Malone's out of hand kicking was disappointing at times. Yet we still won! 

CB2 will have enjoyed seeing Josh Lewsey being shouldered off the ball as he tried to dribble forward during the second half!

A lot has been said this week on this site about the quality of management and players at Bath Rugby and I struggle to disagree with a lot of the comments. However if this victory, and the one at Sale, provides a strong platform on which the coaches can build for the rest of this season I for one will be very happy. 

Referee: Roy Maybank

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