Wasps rested quite a few players which helped even up the game but this tactic almost contributed to be their undoing and their big cheese, Ian McGeechan must have been chewing on his fingernails for the majority of the game.

The Bath lineout was on fire today with quite a few steals disrupting Lawrence and his chums, the best of which resulted in a try for Michael Lipman. This is great news given the struggle the replacement locks have experienced in recent weeks and really complemented the performance of Grewcock and Borthwick for England against new Zealand.

The first real scoring opportunity of the game went to Bath after just a few minutes, following a Wasps' offside, but Chris Malone missed his kick at goal. This followed on from the Aussie's attempt with a (trademark) drop goal in the first minute. However it was Wasps who troubled the scorer first with a try from Neil Baxter on 9 minutes after Joe Maddock missed his tackle and Lawrence Dallaglio had set up his winger. Fortunately Staunton missed the conversion and three minutes later Bath closed the gap with a successful Malone penalty.

Bath scored again on 14 minutes when Michael Lipman grabbed the ball from a fluffed Wasps lineout near their line and ran in for his opportunist try to give the visitors a 5-8 lead. Malone missed the conversion. Wasps kept the nip and tuck scenario bubbling along nicely by drawing level after 22 minutes with a Staunton penalty kick following the binning of Feau'nati for a high tackle on Rob Hoadley: but that was the extent of their advantage from the absence of the giant No 8 and this will have pleased Bath coaches Connolly and Foley.

Chris Malone regained the lead for Bath just after the half-hour mark with another penalty after wasps had been penalised for being offside. Staunton drew the game level 11-11 for half time after Michael Lipman was penalised for a late hit.

Bath got off to a great start to the second half with a Chris Malone penalty after 42 minutes but could so easily have been behind by six points after 50 minutes if Dallaglio hadn't chosen to twice ignore good penalty-kick opportunities. But the skipper's dubious decision making was rescued by Neil Baxter after he scored his second try of the game to give his side a 16-14 lead. Staunton kicked the conversion from the touchline as if to say to his skipper, "See, I can kick goals if you give me the chance!"

Bath had their second player in the bin after 56 minutes when Michael Lipman was penalised for killing the ball following a prolonged period of Wasps' domination, however Staunton missed the penalty. Bath scored another penalty through Malone as the game entered its final quarter to take the score to 18-17 to make it anyone's match. Two minutes later Bath then took the lead with Chris Malone slotting home a 45 yard drop goal. To be honest I don't know why we bother playing any normal attacking rugby around the pitch. Why not just getting into kicking range and always set up Malone? I'm sure we'd score more points this way!

Wasps then decided it was time to increase their winning options by replacing Staunton with the vastly experienced Alex King and with 12 minutes left he scored his first penalty to give his side the lead 21-20. Malone had to chance to regain the lead moments later but missed his penalty kick and then Tom Voyce broke the hearts of his previous employer with a late try. King's conversion extended the home side lead to 28-20 to deny Bath a losing bonus point.

Without doubt Bath deserved more, either a draw or a losing bonus point. 

JC2's last game next Friday. We'll be making our ERE presentation to him after the game so try to be there.

Referee: Roy Maybank

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon