Cash-strapped Wasps sting Bath
MATCH REPORT: Wasps managed to put fears of financial ruin to one side for 80 minutes at least with a 39-31 win at Bath in the English Premiership on Friday.
Bath, who finished bottom of the table last season, appeared destined for an embarrassing defeat in front of their own fans at the Recreation Ground as Wasps surged into a 29-point lead.
But a dramatic second-half recovery saw them close to within a score before Wasps held on for victory.
Earlier this week, Wasps announced their intention to appoint an administrator after failing to meet a May deadline to repay £35-million (US$40-million) in bonds, which helped finance their relocation to Coventry from London in 2014.
Failure to secure the finance needed to prevent administration could see the two-time European champions suffer automatic relegation from the Premiership.
But despite that backdrop, Wasps dominated the opening 40 minutes to lead 31-7 at half-time thanks to tries from wing Josh Bassett, flanker Jack Willis and scrum-half Will Porter.
Jacob Umaga, the nephew of former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga, kicked two conversions and penalties, with Bath’s lone first-half score a Matt Gallagher try converted by Orlando Bailey.
Wasps had a bonus point midway through the second half when Bassett scored his second try, with Bath all but beaten.
The southwest side, however, staged a remarkable rally with two tries from Tom Dunn and one from England’s Jonathan Joseph leading the way.
Bailey and Piers Francis added three conversions between them before late penalties from Francis and Umaga.
The result meant Wasps had won for the first time in three league matches so far this season as they inflicted a third straight defeat upon Bath.
Wasps, last crowned Premiership champions in 2008, are not alone in facing financial collapse.
Worcester Warriors, burdened by debts of over £25 million, have been threatened with suspension from all competitions by the Rugby Football Union.
The scorers
For Bath
Tries: Gallagher, Dunn 2, Joseph
Cons: Bailey 2, Francis 2
Pen: Francis
For Wasps
Tries: Bassett 2, Willis, Porter
Cons: Umaga 2
Pens: Umaga 5
The teams:
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Muir, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Richard de Carpentier, 7 Chris Cloete, 6 Miles Reid, 5 Josh McNally, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Lewis Boyce.
Replacements: 16 Tom Doughty, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Quinn Roux, 20 GJ van Velze, 21 Max Green, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Josh Bayliss.
Wasps: 15 Jacob Umaga, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Sam Spink, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Will Porter, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Kiran McDonald, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Biyi Alo, 2 Dan Frost, 1 Tom West.
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Ben Morris, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Ryan Mills, 23 Zach Kibirige.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Jonathan Healy
TMO: Luke Pearce
