Wasps up their performance to deny Bath

Nice to be back
By Loose Head
October 17 2004

A game that didn’t live up to expectations - some expectations that it. As with shares, past performance is no guarantee of future performance. The much praised reservists in the Wasps team are having the consistency of success that makes their supposed injured betters concerned for their places.

An alternative slant on it is, what would Wasps have done if there was a full squad to pick from? The defensive system is working noticeably better each week. So much so against Bath that the home team seemed to be bereft of ideas once the few set moves did not break through. On paper maybe the Bath backs were expected to be more effective, but on the day they seemed unimaginative and unable to cope with a rush defence.

The rush defence is a risky business. Hopefully you double tackle someone just as they get the ball so he is wrapped up with no chance of off-loading. The risk of dog-legging your defensive line is very high if the hits are not made effectively. Bath got through the line on a few occasions, the defence was able to regroup quickly and not get dragged out of position. Getting up amongst the oppo caused the Bath backs problems. A daft pass straight to Voyce lead to the game deciding moment after only two minutes of play. Luckily my camera was out and ready.

Tindall, a few minutes later did exactly the same thing, only to be saved by a desperate rear guard action.

The Bath forwards on the other hand had the edge over the Wasps pack, in the set piece at least. The Wasps lineout was down to 50%-ish while Bath were winning all theirs. Although there is photographic evidence which might suggest that Borthwick's disruption of Birkett was not entirely legal.

The Wasps scrum was under a lot of pressure. It was good to see that there was another area where lessons had been learned. With the scrum under pressure Dallaglio opted for a No. 8 pick up and secured possession rather than risk the foul ups of the past few weeks. As the game went on Wasps pack gained more control at the scrum which gave more options with the ball. In the second half we even managed to steal two of Bath's lineouts.

A possible comparison between Bath and Newcastle is the over reliance on a star. With Newcy it's Wor Johnny, at Bath they love Tindall. Oogie did a very good job of keeping Tindall under control, an immense achievement in itself. More than once Tindall could have done with someone to offload to, but instead he was wrestled to ground and the move slowed or stopped.

Leota's arrival on the pitch was something Lee Best will remember. Looking from behind the Wasps posts I could see it coming. Unfortunately that was a lot of Bath's play - you could see it coming. Trev lined him up and just as the ball arrived at Best - POW! Rob Hoadly came on for Oogie and thought he ought to follow suit. Knocking back in the tackle and preventing moves from developing is definitely the Wasps way.

The multi stitched Alex King came on for the last few minutes after a more than creditable performance by Brooks at fly half and exerted classic Alex King control. The almost lazy left footed kick over the outside centre pushing play deep into the Bath 22.

Bath threw everything at Wasps and did manage to grab a try but were still 3 points adrift. As they came again and again Dallaglio put in a match defining tackle and wrapped up Malone so effectively that was that. Game over. Bath 16 Wasps 19. And I haven't even mentioned Joe Worsely's tackle count or Johnny O'Connor's relentless scavenging at breakdowns!