Bristol (6) 18
Tries: Phillips, Robinson Con: Barnes Pens: Barnes 2
Wasps (8) 36
Tries: Lewsey, Cipriani, Simpson 2, Betsen Cons: Cipriani 4 Pen: Cipriani

Simpson (right) and Cipriani were in fine form for Wasps

Scrum-half Joe Simpson scored two tries and Danny Cipriani claimed 16 points to help Wasps record a comprehensive victory over relegated Bristol.

The home side had led 6-3 when Ed Barnes landed his second penalty.

But Josh Lewsey and Cipriani crossed either side of the break to put Wasps ahead before Simpson scored his brace, which included a fine 60m effort.

Serge Betsen added a fifth try while James Phillips and Lee Robinson added consolation tries late on.

The win means that Wasps keep alive their hopes of Heineken Cup qualification.

They can still finish seventh, which would be enough to secure one of the English places in next season's major European tournament, but only if semi-finalists Northampton, Saracens or Worcester fail to win the European Challenge Cup.

Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan:
"I thought our forwards played well for the full 80 minutes - it was a very good performance by them.

"We knew we had to perform today on what was always going to be a big occasion for Bristol with their last home game, and I am delighted we pulled off a performance like that."

McGeechan on Joe Simpson:
"He is an outstanding prospect. He has done it all at age grade level, and it has been quite a steep learning curve for him with the big boys this season.

"But he has taken it on board well and we are slowly building up the number of games he had been playing."

Bristol head coach Paul Hull:
"I thought we competed really well in the first half, but tries either side of half-time knocked the stuffing out of us.

"Wasps have strike-runners throughout their team, and Simpson produced a man-of-the-match display."

Bristol: L Arscott; Robinson, Eves, Fatialofa, Lemi; Barnes, Perry; Irish, Linklater, Thompson, Sambucetti, Sidoli, To'oala, R Pennycook, Ward-Smith.
Replacements: T Arscott for Fatialofa (56), Thomas for Perry (66), Hayes for Linklater (69), Crompton for Thompson (41), Winters for Sambucetti (55), Phillips for To'oala (55).
Not Used: Turner.

Wasps: Van Gisbergen; Sackey, Waldouck, Flutey, Lewsey; Cipriani, Simpson; Payne, Webber, Barnard, Shaw, Skivington, Betsen, Rees, Worsley.
Replacements: Mitchell for Sackey (9), Veale for Flutey (78), Staunton for Cipriani (71), Honeyben for Simpson (71), Ward for Webber (74), Beech for Barnard (69).
Not Used: Robinson.

Att: 6,508

Ref: John Paul Doyle (RFU).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version