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| Saturday 17 March 2001 | The Rec |
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Weather - Very Cold
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Referee: Brian Campsall..........................Match report:Russel Gibbs
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| A last minute try from Mike Catt consolidated Bath Rugby’s position at second in the table and ended London Wasps outside chance for the title, in the process crowning Leicester Tigers as Champions. Catt’s score decided an ultimately untidy contest that was full of fire and vigour and certainly kept the 8,200 crowd on the edge of their seats as the tension mounted. Bath were forced into making a couple of changes from the side that had handsomely seen off London Irish in midweek with Shaun Berne being forced to miss the contest due to a knee injury picked up in the 58-13 win. Simon Emms returned at prop for David Barnes, otherwise it was the same line up that dismantled the Irish. The visitors included ex-Bath centre Fraser Waters, as well as internationals Phil Greening, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw in a powerful pack that has been the fulcrum of their successful march up the table. Wasps opened the scoring barely a minute into proceedings when Bath were caught offside in midfield after a charge up the right hand touchline had been halted. Former England fly half Alex King stroked the kick between the posts to put the visitors 3-0 ahead. Incredibly that was to be the extent of the scoring for the rest of the first half as both sides struggled to break down some impressive defence. That wasn’t to say that there weren’t chances though as Jon Preston had an off day with he boot. The normally reliable goal kicker saw four first half efforts hooked wide from positions where three points is usually a formality. The failure to land the penalty goals seemed catching as Alex King woefully scuffed a medium range kick well wide of the uprights, barely lifting the ball off the ground. In defence to the two kickers, the swirling breeze affected matters as well as making the conditions bitingly cold, not conducive to an excellent handling display. Matt Perry suffered a head injury early on and was replaced by Adedayo Adebayo for sixteen minutes, but not even the man who celebrated a testimonial a fortnight ago could lift proceedings that were becoming very dull. Wasps thought they had scored the opening try after 31 minutes, but Shane Roiser’s kick and chase to the corner, which he won, was rightly called back as Martyn Wood, the feisty Wasps scrum half, had tripped Steve Borthwick as the big second row attempted to keep up with the fleet footed winger. Referee Brian Campsall had to be alert as the match threatened to boil over, but sense prevailed and the Yorkshire official kept his cards in his pockets, but mercifully had remembered his whistle and ended a drab first half. Half Time: Bath Rugby 0 London Wasps 3 Bath brought on flanker Angus Gardiner at half time for the injured Nathan Thomas and soon introduced David Barnes at prop for Simon Emms as Bath started the better of the two sides. Five minutes into the second half the scores were level, as Preston finally found his range and punished Wasps for offside. The Kiwi had his eye in now and barely three minutes later slotted over a second penalty to put Bath in front at 6-3. This galvanised Wasps though, who saw their title hopes dying and a splendid riposte brought the team in white and gold two tries in six minutes. Firstly, Wasps created an overlap but inexplicably ignored it and drove up the middle of the pitch to set up another phase of attack. The chance seemed to have gone, but some quick handling freed left winger Laurence Scrase, who cut inside his marker to cross in the corner. King hooked the conversion attempt wide. The second score was a terrific individual effort from full back Paul Sampson. Wasps spread play wide and the England international picked a wonderful angle to take the ball at pace, break Sam Cox’s tackle and cut inside Tom Voyce to touch down. Suddenly Wasps led 6-13 and were unfortunate to see King’s conversion kick come back off of the post. Bath were in real need of some inspiration and sent on Mark Gabey to beef up the pack, on for the hard working Martin Haag, and Nathan Thomas also returned to the action. The change paid dividends as Wasps were penalised in the centre of the field and Preston coolly slotted his third kick to reduce the gap. It was looking like a futile gesture though, especially when a further penalty was squandered five minutes from time, as Bath entered stoppage time trailing by four points. However, it was then that Catt struck. Bath were attacking the Wasps line, when Fraser Waters deliberately committed a professional foul to stop the ball returning to the Bath side where the backs were lined up and waiting. The centre was rightly sent to the sin bin and Bath were awarded a penalty. Catt kicked to touch to set up the final play of the match. From the line out, Mark Regan hit his man and Preston popped off a short pass to Catt. Facing a wall of defenders Catt sold a half dummy and weaved past two tacklers who vainly tried to grab hold of the fly half’s shirt. Catt was not to be denied though and had the power to hold off the challenges and dive over next to the posts for the match winning score. Preston added the conversion to send the crowd at the Rec. into raptures and also cause the same scenes to be repeated 100 miles away at Welford Road, as the Zurich Premiership Title was finally decided. TEAM: Perry (Adebayo 12-28), Thirlby, Maggs, Cox, Voyce, Catt, Preston, Emms (Barnes 45), Regan, Mallett, Haag (Gabey 58), Borthwick, N. Thomas (Gardiner 40-58), Clarke (Gardiner 58), Lyle POINTS: Tries: Mike Catt Cons: Jon Preston Pens: Jon Preston (3) Man of the Match: Mike Catt (Bath) – match-winner |
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