Injury hit Wasps slip to home loss against dominant Bath - The Coventry Observer

Injury hit Wasps slip to home loss against dominant Bath

Coventry Editorial 2nd Oct, 2017   0

RUGBY UNION: WASPS failed to register a single try against Bath on Sunday afternoon at the Ricoh Arena as Dai Young was left to reflect on another disappointing home defeat.

Jimmy Gopperth’s three penalty kicks were all that Wasps had to cheer about as Bath cruised to a 16 point victory, winning 25-9.

Despite the bleak scoreline, Wasps did have their chance to claim what would’ve been an unlikely win.

Gopperth’s three kicks in the opening half set the clash up nicely, with both teams entering the second half deadlocked on nine points.




But penalties from Priestland and Burns, followed by the game’s only try – courtesy of Semesa Rokoduguni – helped Bath accumulate points while Wasps struggled to source a reply.

The loss drops Wasps to eighth in the league table following two wins and three losses.


Speaking after the game, Dai Young said he was disappointed to see his side lose another game.

He added: “There weren’t a huge amount of positives to be honest, but one was that we kept the ball for a lot longer today than we have for most of the season.

“I thought the forwards carried well on occasions, Joe Launchbury was amazing today, with carry after carry.

“But we struggled to penetrate the gain line, the ball went to the backs too early and we were on the back foot after that. We need to look at that because we made it a little too easy for the Bath defence today.

“Confidence is a factor, but the only way to get it back is to start putting some performances in and getting some results.”

Young was quick to dampen any rumours his side were struggling to cope with the absence of a number of key players through injury.

He said: “I’ve got 23 guys to pick the 23.

“I’m not going to use injuries as an excuse because I think that’s pretty weak, they aren’t available so we just have to get on with it.

“We could do with a few guys coming back now because some of the men on the pitch are carrying bumps and bruises as well.

“We have to stick together and try to tweak things with the personnel that we have got and things will come right at the end. That’s my responsibility and that’s what I have to do.”

Picture: Manjit Narotra. 

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