Bath Rugby fall to top of table Wasps

Bath Rugby were unable to prevent Wasps from extending their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership, with the visitors winning 3-24 at the Recreation Ground.

Wasps’ first points on the board came after 13 minutes when Alex Reider combined with Danny Cipriani to send Christian Wade through for their opening try of the afternoon. 0-7

Bath nearly found themselves back in the game with Adam Hastings breaking through the Wasps defence and David Denton grounding the ball in the corner. However, the decision went to the TMO and Denton was adjudged to have been bundled into touch after a last-gasp tackle from Wade.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Wasps doubled their advantage when Tommy Taylor found himself in space in the Bath 22. The hooker made good use of his support, as he sent a crucial pass to Australia international Kurtley Bealey who used his pace finish off a sweeping move. 0-14

In a first half controlled by the league leaders, Bath registered their first points of the day after good pressure in the scrum saw Wasps concede a penalty on the edge of the 22. In the last action before the interval, Tom Homer slotted the three points to send the teams in to the interval at 3-14.

Half-time score: Bath Rugby 3-14 Wasps

Like the opening period, Wasps got the scoreboard ticking over again, with Jimmy Gopperth showing his precision from the tee, extending Wasps' lead from 40m out. 3-17

With kicks being exchanged between the two sides, it was Wasps who took advantage once again. A chip into the Bath 22 from Cipriani forced the knock on from the Bath defence, which was followed by a number of phases metres from the home try line.

With Bath’s defence holding strong, the ball was spread wide to the backs, with Cipriani and Willie Le Roux linking up to send Beale through for his second try of the game to give Wasps the victory.

Final score: Bath Rugby 3-24 Wasps