RUGBY UNION: Future bright as Bath sparkle

Bath 36 Wasps 1

DAVID LLEWELLYN

Bath 36 Wasps 12

It was an exhilarating glimpse of the future. For some 32 minutes - with the occasional breather - a sell-out crowd was treated to some riveting rugby. League leaders Bath were all rapid rucking and rolling mauls as they streamed into Wasps from the outset.

Mike Catt produced some of his best play from the centre. His last minute switch, from the full-back slot he so covets, lit up the backs, who benefited from his stunning lines of running and quick hands and mind.

Catt's move restored Jon Callard to full-back and goal-kicking duties - the aspect of his game that had initially apparently caused him to be dropped. Five successful kicks out of seven gave him a certain degree of satisfaction, but he also reminded everyone of his own attacking ability with some well-timed sorties into the line.

Graham Dawe's third-minute try began a scintillating spell of expansive rugby that Jack Rowell has been hoping for from England. The Bath coach, Brian Ashton, said: "We put together 20 or 25 minutes of the best rugby I've ever seen since I've been associated with the club. It was a step up in scale and pace from the Bristol game. All we have to do now is double it." The Wasps coach, Rob Smith, was no less effusive. His side aspire to the same style of running rugby and contributed greatly to the spectacle.

The Bath forwards were magnificent. Tireless, fast and displaying the handling skills of backs. Dawe's was not the only forward score. Prop Kevin Yates, another mobile monster around the park, touched down on the half hour and there was a dazzling 50-yard effort by Jon Sleightholme, courtesy of brilliant work by Catt.

Phil de Glanville's 55 yard dash for the line rounded off the first half scoring.

Wasps rallied when Andy Gomarsall took a tap penalty and darted through a napping Bath defence. But that, and a converted penalty try shortly after the restart, was that.

Bath: Tries Dawe, Sleightholme, Yates, De Glanville, Nicol; Conversions Callard 4; Penalty Callard. Wasps: Tries Gomarsall, penalty; Conversion Gregory.

Bath: J Callard; J Sleightholme, P de Glanville (capt), M Catt, A Adebayo; R Butland, A Nicol; K Yates, G Dawe, V Ubogu (C Clarke, 77), M Haag, N Redman, A Robinson, S Ojomoh, B Clarke.

Wasps: J Ufton; P Hopley, D Hopley, A James, S Roiser; G Gregory, A Gomarsall; D Molloy, K Dunn, I Dunston, M Greenwood, R Kinsey, M White, L Dallaglio (capt), P Scrivener.

Referee: B Campsall (Yorkshire).