Wasps 17

Bath 31

The biggest crowd of the season, nearly 10,000, were treated to a tremendous display of open rugby by Wasps and Bath at Loftus Road on Sunday.

A devastating 15-minute spell late in the first half when Bath scored four tries dashed any hopes Wasps had of finishing their season with a win.

However, their fans must have been delighted with a second half fightback that saw Wasps reply with three tries and keep their line intact.

Missing skipper Lawrence Dallaglio and top scorer Gareth Rees through injury, Wasps were under pressure from the start.

Adedayo Adebayo was stopped yards short of the line after two minutes, and if fly-half Matt Perry had chosen to pass wide instead of cutting inside, Ieuan Evans would surely have opened the scoring soon after.

Having weathered the storm, Wasps embarked on a brief flurry of attack. The ever competitive Trevor Leota went close to barging his way through a mass of defenders from close range.

Bath got into top gear and some of their play was scintillating. Jeremy Guscott caught the eye and one electrifying break from deep in his own half was worth the admission money alone.

The opening score was typical of the soft tries Wasps have conceded in this campaign.

After defending well under intense pressure, they were given an ideal opportunity to clear their lines when awarded a scrum 10 yards from the posts.

Unfortunately they lost the put-in and Bath No 8 Eric Peters picked up from the back of the scrum, brushed aside a surprised defence and scored with ease. Jon Callard converted.

Two minutes later, Evans picked up the ball on the right hand touchline at halfway, and a terrific diagonal run spreadeagled the Wasps' defence as he went over near the left-hand corner flag.

Bath had the bit between their teeth and showed no mercy, Adebayo scoring a great third try, and more pressure leading to their fourth try on the stroke of half-time when Guscott punished a mistake by Mark Denny.

Callard did not miss a kick, his four successful conversions giving Bath a 28-0 interval lead.

With memories of Twickenham and the Tetley Bitter Cup final mauling from Saracens still fresh, Wasps fans must have feared the worst.

But the home side were transformed and immediately hit back when Jon Ufton came into the line to put the seal on a sweeping threequarter move.

Wasps battered away and Jon Ions grabbed their second try.

Bath made few forays into Wasps' territory, but on one occasion, Kellett took the opportunity to kick a simple penalty.

In truth it was always a tall order for Wasps to wipe out that heavy first half deficit, but they had the final say when winger Paul Sampson scored a brilliant individual try.

Prop Darren Molloy, voted Player of the Season by Wasps' supporters, received his award on Sunday.

On Bank Holiday Monday (May 25), Wasps are staging a testimonial match for their longest serving player Buster White, when a Wasps Present XV meets a Wasps Past XV at Sudbury (2pm).

Former favourites Rob Andrew, Steve Bates, Va'aiga Tuigamala and Jeff Probyn will be in action.

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