1
Paolo Odogwu saved Wasps for the second week in a row with a quick-fire double as Bath saw their seven-point lead crumble after finding themselves down to 13 men in a 41-24 Gallagher Premiership defeat.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wing Semesa Rokoduguni was sent off in the opening minute of the second half for a high tackle but Bath made light of his absence until 14 minutes from the end when Tom de Glanville saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.
Wing Odogwu, who had won the match at Exeter with a try six minutes after the countdown clock had reached zero, took advantage of the extra space with two tries in as many minutes before a double from Alfie Barbeary made the scoreline flattering for Wasps.
Bath had not won away in the Premiership for 11 months, but after gifting Wasps an early lead they played on the front foot, prompted by Max Ojomoh, a young centre who showed why he is close to an England call-up.
Wasps had won the previous five Premiership meetings between the clubs but they did not pay their opponents enough respect after scoring a try 100 seconds in.
It came from a Bath line-out in their 22. The ball was thrown over Wales back-rower Taulupe Faletau, who was making his first appearance of the season, and seized by Robin Hislop.
The prop was held up on the line but Wasps moved the ball quickly and Charlie Atkinson’s long pass was taken by Josh Bassett who supplied Rob Miller with the scoring pass out of the back of his left hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bath were struggling up front but were inventive with the ball in hand and took the lead after 10 minutes. Nathan Hughes charged through Gabriel Oghre’s tackle and Ojomoh’s delayed pass bought room for Tom Prydie on the right with Orlando Bailey mastering the wind to convert.
Wasps were stirred and after Dan Robson worked a 50-22, Biyi Alo forced his way over. When Ben Spencer earned Bath a 50-22, the line-out throw was ruled not straight but they were soon back in the lead through Faletau after Ojomoh glided away from Odogwu on the left.
Wasps went into the interval 17-14 ahead after Elliott Stooke was freed by Ben Morris, but 30 seconds after the restart Rokoduguni was sent off for a high tackle on Sam Spink which left the centre concussed.
But Bath scored next. Bailey jinked out of his own 22 and Hughes appeared through the ruck, charging towards the home 22 before chipping to the line for Spencer to pick up and score. Bailey converted from the left wing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wasps struggled to make their numerical advantage tell, playing from deep rather than for territory. Bailey extended Bath’s lead to seven points with a penalty but they cracked when De Glanville was sent to the sin-bin for denying Odogwu a try-scoring opportunity.
There were three conversions apiece for Jimmy Gopperth and Bailey.
Should play for Italy.