Searle injury mars win as Wasps reach fourth in table
BILLY Searle’s horror ankle injury marred a thrilling Wasps’ win over Bristol Bears to move them into fourth in the Gallagher Premiership.
The fly-half, who swapped Ashton Gate for the Ricoh Arena last summer, was pivotal as his new employers built a 19-3 lead at the break.
Minutes after the restart, the 22-year-old was left grounded in agony prompting 10 minutes of medical attention.
A seesaw second-half saw Dai Young’s side enter the final 10 minutes four points ahead, an advantage they defended valiantly - but it should never have been this tense.
The evening started so brightly as Thomas Young, denied a try late on in Rome during his Six Nations debut, had better fortunes in club colours. Having fallen behind to Ian Madigan’s third-minute penalty, Searle dabbed a kickable penalty into touch and the forwards combined to power over their openside for a try Searle converted with the game 11 minutes old.
The hosts lost both second row John Hawkins and his replacement Nick Haining to injury in a stop-start opening quarter.
With four minutes remaining in the half, it all clicked for Wasps.
Searle punched a penalty deep into touch from distance and strong recycling play lead to Willie le Roux putting Tom Cruse in the right corner.
In the last play of the Bristol attempted to play their way back into the game only for Searle to intercept from inside his own half before releasing Nizaam Carr to score in the same corner. Searle converted to open a 19-3 half-time lead.
Minutes after the break, Searle’s horror moment occurred prompted a large stoppage and soon after the restart, Bristol were back in the game.
Lima Sopoaga kicked out on the full presenting territory and possession. Michele Campagnaro’s rush of blood presented an overlap and Harry Randall capitalised for a try Ian Madigan improved.
It wasn’t to usher a change in momentum as Wasps soon struck back.
Jack Lam’s fumble was pounced upon by second-row Will Rowlands who cantered home, untouched from halfway. Sopoaga’s conversion established a 26-10 lead with 26 minutes remaining. Bristol bounced back after sublime offloads from Steve Luatua and then Chris Vui paved the way for Piers O’Connor to dive over for a try Madigan improved.
It was to get better for the hosts as former Wasps ace Charles Pituau latched onto another sublime offload to move his side within four points with a quarter of the game remaining.
A wonderful chance came and went to moved two scores ahead when Tommy Taylor crashed over but the final pass was adjudged to be forward by referee Wayne Barnes – without the assistance of a TMO.
Sopoaga’s penalty with 15 minutes remaining open a seven-point lead.
Careful game management kicked in as Wasps kept possession for the final five minutes before coughing up a penalty with three seconds remaining.
Bristol attacked from inside the 22 but couldn’t find the killer score.