Wasps left wanting as Jalibert puts boot in

DAI Young’s men were left ruing what might have been as they slipped out of South West France empty handed from a pulsating opening Challenge Cup clash.

Bordeaux finished strongly and full-back Romain Buros raced over for a last-minute try to deny the visitors even a losing bonus point in an open and entertaining Pool 3 contest which swung backwards and forwards.

Sadly for the men from the Ricoh Arena it slipped from their grasps having matched the in- form Top 14 outfit for most of the game and scored three fine tries.

Matthieu Jalibert’s boot made Wasps pay every time the English outfit lost their discipline and he sent over two penalties to build a 6-0 lead before Billy Searle replied with one of his own.

The pair exchanged further blows before the game turned on a Wasps error when fly-half Searle spilled a high ball and Cameron Woki fed the supporting Seta Tamanivalu for the opening try.

Jalibert converted but the gap of ten points was closed quickly by the visitors in the second half with flanker Jack Willis pouncing for a try from Jalibert’s mistake.

Searle and Jalibert exchanged further kicking blows before the Wasps revival intensified with a hooker Tom Cruse dropping down following a fine rolling maul to claim the try converted by Searle.

Wasps then released their grip on the contest, and the tide began to turn yet again with the French hosts stirring into life. The dynamic Semi Radradra showed his running power and flair to side-step his way past three attempted tacklers and over the line.

He chose to throw it to scrum-half Lesgourges to touch down rather than do the job himself, and jalibert converted.

Wasps had hardly caught their breath when their defence was penetrated again with Radradra hammering another hole, before a pick and go from Sam Higginbottom saw the lock dive over for a try.

Moments later Dai Young’s men hit back in style with Dan Robson rounding off a fine move across the back line.

However, any hopes of a win or even bonus point evaporated when Jalibert broke clear and fed Buros for his side’s bonus point score.