IT’S TOP DRAW
Wasps and Bath put on a super show but result no use to either
PANTO season arrived early in Coventry — with Bruce Craig and Eddie Jones cast as the Ugly Sisters.
Freddie Burns returned from that ‘He’s behind you!’ cameo against Toulouse, while Christian Wade had pulled off a strange disappearing act.
‘Well, we’re in the entertainment business, aren’t we?’ said Bath coach Todd Blackadder as his heart rate settled after the 10-try draw.
This result benefits neither side, with Bath and Wasps both failing to pick up a win in the first two rounds of the Champions Cup.
That, of course, could all change if Craig’s embarrassing calls for a ‘replay’ of last week’s defeat by Toulouse are granted. Whatever next? A pumpkin for a coach?
The Bath owner, who already has his own parody Twitter account, was the butt of the jokes at the Ricoh Arena.
‘Maybe we could fit it somewhere
BEN TE’O came off the bench to put himself in contention for the autumn international programme as he helped Worcester beat Ospreys 27-21. His side strolled into a 21-0 interval lead with tries from Jamie Shillcock, Wynand Olivier and Jack Singleton, but Ospreys hit back after the break. Cory Allen (2) and Rob McCusker claiming the tries. in the calendar,’ said Blackadder, with a wry smile.
In Craig’s absence, Jones stepped in to the role of villain and he was booed every time his face appeared on the big screen.
Six of his England players were on s h o w a n d most o f them i mpressed during t his helterskelter pool game.
For Bath, winger Joe Cokanasiga scored a stunning solo try inside three minutes, while Zach Mercer was a dynamo at the back of the scrum. Charlie Ewels also pitched in with a try.
The visitors powered to a 21-7 lead inside half an hour, with Max Wright and Semesa Rokoduguni also touching down following textbook support play.
After last week’s ‘no-try’ against Toulouse, Burns was impeccable with the boot — converting five from five. All Wasps had to show for their early efforts was a Josh Bassett try. He is set for more game time after Christian Wade’s shock move to the NFL.
The America-bound winger was conspicuous his absence at the Ricoh Arena.
‘ There’s never a dull day at Wasps,’ said coach Dai Young. ‘In some respects, it would have been a shock for everybody. Hopefully it will be cleared up sooner rather than later.’
Momentum shifted in the hosts’ favour when Francois Louw was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Thomas Young shortly before half time. Wasps rallied after the break and took the lead with three tries in eight minutes, through Joe Simpson, Zurabi Zhvania and Ashley Johnson.
England’s No 6 contender Brad Shields was instrumental in the comeback at flanker.
Ewels’ try pulled the score back to 28-28 after 56 minutes, before Francois Louw and Thomas Young exchanged converted tries.
Bath had a chance to snatch victory in the final minute through an Alex Davies penalty, but his kick floated wide.