By James Standley

Flanker Rob Webber powered over for Wasps' first try on Saturday

Wasps (20) 25
Tries: Webber, Sackey 2
Cons: Cipriani 2
Pens: Cipriani 2

Bath (0) 10
Tries: Maddock
Cons: Barkley
Pens: Barkley

Paul Sackey scored twice as Wasps continued to climb the Premiership table by defeating under-strength Bath.

Danny Ciprani kicked Wasps ahead inside 60 seconds before Rob Webber plunged over for the opening try.

Sackey scored the first of his brace and Cipriani converted and landed a penalty to make it 20-0 at the break.

Winger Sackey scored again 12 minutes after the break, with Joe Maddock cutting through for Bath's only try with just over 10 minutes to go.

Sackey's opening try was his 60th in the Premiership and saw him overtake Neil Back to go second in the all-time try-scoring charts - Sale's Steve Hanley leads the way with 75.

Bath, who made 11 changes from the side which hammered Leeds last time out, went into the game level on points with leaders Gloucester at the top of the table.

606: DEBATE Wasps are now in touch with the play-off places - can they go all the way or will their slow start to the season cost them in the latter stages of the campaign? JS

In contrast, Wasps may be the reigning European champions but they have made a slow start to their Premiership campaign after struggling when a host of big names were away at the World Cup in France.

They have been much improved in recent weeks but went into the game eight points off the play-off places and could ill afford a home defeat.

The Londoners need not have worried unduly, as they raced into a 10-point lead inside the first five minutes.

Cipriani drilled over a first-minute penalty from inside his own half and two minutes later he added the conversion as Wasps scored their first try of the game.

When Bath failed to control the ball at the base of a ruck, Eoin Reddan and Tom Voyce countered.

Wasps switched play to the right and although Sackey was held up just short, Webber came thundering up to score from short range.

When Bath finally escaped their own half after 15 minutes they twice kicked penalties into the corner, but Wasps defended ferociously to keep the visitors at bay before going straight down the other end and doubling their try tally.

Maddock's late ty was no more than a consolation for Bath

The influential Riki Flutey's incisive break gave Wasps a great attacking position and, when they switched play to the right on the second phase, Sackey had far too much pace for Olly Barkley as he raced over in the corner.

Cipriani converted from wide out and although Maddock made two thrilling breaks out of defence for Bath, a second Cipriani penalty ensured they trailed 20-0 at the break.

The visitors also lost Danny Grewcock harshly to the sin bin for illegal use of the boot and, although they finally got on the board six minutes into the second half through a Barkley penalty, Wasps soon extended their lead.

Nick Abendanon had just pulled off a fine try-saving tackle on Sackey but when Mark van Gisbergen kicked through, the full-back dithered, and England winger Sackey punished him with a fine finish.

Wasps hammered away at Bath for the next 15 minutes but they could not score a fourth try and instead Bath finally came to life as Maddock's converted try gave them an outside shot at earning a losing bonus point.

Barkley nearly saw his conversion charged down and things rapidly went from bad to worse for the England man when he failed to score Bath's second try, knocking on as Sackey pulled off a stunning cover tackle.

That was as close as Bath were to come but they at least enjoyed the satisfaction of denying Wasps a bonus point for scoring four tries.