Wasps 38 Bristol 35. Just!! In the dying moments!

First league AP try
By Loose Head
September 9 2002

"Better late than never" is an adage that I hope we don't have to use too much again this season. As a marketing ploy to convince the locals that there will be something to watch at our new home, leaving it until the 6th minute of injury time in the second half to win probably did the job.

However, we look back at the second game out of two and see a performance that should have had the match wrapped up, in the bag tied up with a nice ribbon bow, but instead gifted Bristol penalty after penalty to more than keep them in the match.

There was a lack of consistency from the referee which did not help the game much at all. He seemed to be bewilderingly lenient with Archer for Bristol for one.

Rob Howley in the little he has played for Wasps has redefined what is required in that position. The great Woody debate has raged on all last year. By his sheer class Howley has ended it and shown the level possible. The speed and accuracy of his pass from the breakdown gives Alex the raw material to put the backs into attack. The first try came at 10 minutes built from quick accurate ball from Stan (as he is affectionately known, due to looking like Stan Laurel). Quick ball through the hands with Abbot always probing the Bristol defence. The attack was stopped on the Bristol line in the corner as Archer pulled the maul down. Penalty but no yellow card. With this field position, Alex King opted to pop the ball into touch. The catch and drive saw our pocket battleship Trevor score the first league try at Adams Park.

The immediate response from Bristol saw them running the ball and pulling our defence to open a gap to let in a try. Abbot in defence might be guilty of ball watching rather than tracking the man.

There was a bit of an odd period as Alex was tripped after taking a quick 22 drop out. Penalty no yellow card. A minute later another Wasps penalty for Bristol killing the ruck. Penalty no yellow card. A double tackle on a Brizzle player by Denzil and I think Volls. To all it seemed as if the Brizzle player would not release the ball. The ref saw something else and sin-binned Denzil. This was followed in a few minutes by another Wasps penalty for Bristol killing the ball at the ruck, still no yellow card.

It is a bit of a Wasps v Bristol tradition that when in complete control of the attack with a score waiting for Wasps, we hand the ball to Contemponi. This time's interception try was at 28 minutes. Every flippin' game!

Howley's contribution shines again quick ball got Worzle away. The ball went quickly through the hands and Abbot ripped the defence apart to score.

At 40 mins the Bristol full back was actually yellow carded for killing a ruck. Lordy, lordy, lordy! Enough time to go for a line out, catch and drive. And down goes the maul on the Bristol line again. Penalty but no yellow card. How many times does this have to happen? This was kicked successfully to end the first half Wasps 18 Bristol 17.

The second half started much like the first, Wasps penalised and giving away more points. They really have got to stop handing kickers like Wilkinson for Newcastle and now Contemponi gift horses. The restart was a short low straight lob of a kick. A tactic used already in the game to set a maul which, Wasps knowing where it is likely to happen, could get bulk there to dominate. At 54 mins the ball was stolen at the maul and Howley broke for what was the moment of the game. A trademark dummy and turn of pace had the line in his sights. LBND was on his shoulder at pace and took a short pop with 5 meters to go. The best try of the game. With the conversion Wasps 28 Bristol 26. The lead then changed back again after another penalty to Bristol, and then back again, and then back again until at 77 minutes it was Wasps 31 Bristol 35.

Wasps piled on the pressure and seemed to get a penalty for you know what, which was reversed by the touch judge who didn't think that someone lying on the wrong side of the ruck could be stood on. Bristol went for the lineout to use up some time. Stan to the fore. In fact, to his now usual position of front jumper. Being lighter, they can get him higher quicker. This crucial injury time lineout was stolen by Stan. Pressure was put on Bristol and they conceded penalty after penalty. Wasps deep into injury time were down on the Bris 5m line with a lineout. Catch, drive, pull down. Surprise, Surprise. Penalty and no yellow card. Not that it would have meant all that much now. Another lineout option. Catch, drive, mysterious collapse of maul. Contemponi wandered round and grabbed the ball, er slightly offside. The ref's tolerance had finally been broken and he made his way to the posts to award a penalty try. Some may say that was a brave thing to do, I think it was possibly his least controversial decision of the whole game. The game ended with the conversion to see Wasps 38 Bristol 35. That penalty try meant Wasps won the game and got a bonus point for 4 tries.

Bristol fans may regard the most controversial point as being when Trevor "did" the Bristol No 8. I asked people with closer views who are quite sure that Trevor hit the guy with a Samoan tackle in the high chest area, well below the head, this is what I saw as well. The guy was pretty sparko afterwards and soon had to be subbed. The ref didn't even see fit to award a penalty, which I would go along with.

The man of the match for me has to be the one whose actions have put really boost to the Wasps game. Instrumental in three tries. It has to be Rob Howley.

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Loose Head