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Last Updated: Saturday, 29 May, 2004, 21:09 GMT 22:09 UK
Dallaglio joy over double
Paul Volley (left) and Lawrence Dallaglio lift the Zurich Premiership trophy
Wasps are champions of both England and Europe
Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio hailed his side after they completed the double by winning the Zurich Premiership final on Saturday.

Wasps defeated Bath 10-6 to add the Zurich title to the Heineken Cup they won by beating Toulouse.

"Last week (winning the Heineken Cup) was the cake and this week was the icing on the cake," said Dallaglio

"It is a big achievement, especially because we don't have the huge resources that other clubs have."

Bath dominated the lineout and secured more than enough possession to win the game, but their limited game plan meant Wasps managed to stay in touch.

And Dallaglio criticised the West country outfit for not trying to play a more expansive game.

"They demolished our lineout but they don't play with the kind of ambition you need if you're going to win trophies," said Dallaglio.

We knew it was going to be a big ask but we were just lucky enough to get it
Match winner Stuart Abbott

"They kicked everything and, with all due respect to them, you have to play with a bit more courage to win trophies and we've been doing that all season.

"Playing the way they do gets you so far and they've won a lot of matches doing that this season.

"But we're very proud of what we've done and everyone at Wasps deserves a lot of credit."

Wasps coach Warren Gatland said he would demand more of the same from his team next season.

"Consistency has been the important thing for us and that is the catchphrase for next year," he said.

"There won't be too many changes and we will be tough to beat."

Paul Volley, who now moves to Castres in France, was ecstatic after playing his last game for the club.

"Bath threw everything at us but we weren't going to let it go," he said.

Stuart Abbott celebrates scoring the match-winning try
Abbott pounced to score the only try of the match

"We are one hell of a family. It's awesome, I love those guys."

England centre Stuart Abbott, who scored the match-winning try, was delighted Volley had bowed out on a high.

"It's a brilliant way to go out for Paul. It's fantastic, we knew it was going to be a big ask but we were just lucky enough to get it."

Despite their domination of possession Bath had only ground out a 3-0 lead at the break and coach John Connolly knew the game was on a knife edge.

"We said at half-time one mistake would cost us and as it turned out one dropped ball, one run-away try," said Connolly.

Connolly added he had no complaints about the play-offs in principle but said the three-week break Bath were handed for finishing on top of the Premiership table should be scrapped.

"At the moment I don't like it but I've got no problems with it (the final)," he said.

"But not playing for three weeks does do things. You lose your edge in fitness, lose your edge in timing."


WATCH AND LISTEN
Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio
"It'd have been no good losing this trophy"


Wasps try scorer Stuart Abbott
"Defence wins championships"



SEE ALSO
Wasps 10-6 Bath
29 May 04  |  English
Humphreys to lead Bath
27 May 04  |  English
Tindall boost for Bath
26 May 04  |  English
England wait on Flatman
26 May 04  |  Internationals
Bath clinch top spot
08 May 04  |  English


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