Wade hat-trick helps Wasps outscore Bath 40-26

Wasps 40-26 Bath Rugby, Ricoh Arena
Scorecard

Christian Wade scored three tries including two in the first half as Wasps went on to defeat Bath by 40-26 in their Aviva Premiership clash at Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

The game also marked a Premiership debut for Wallabies international Kurtley Beale but it was Wade, who set the stage on fire with his first two tries which came inside 13 minute. A double conversion from Jimmy Gopperth took Wasps to 14-0 lead.

Bath replied back strongly when hooker Ross Batty and lock Dave Attwood rumbled past the line sandwiched by a penalty from Wasps' Gopperth.

Dai Young's men were leading by three points as the half-time was nearing but flanker Thomas Young strolled past the post in the 38th minute and Gopperth added the extras to stretch the gap to 10 points at the end of the first half.

Wade continued his second run in the second half when he strolled past the post in the 46th minute to secure the bonus point for Wasps. A triple penalty from Gopperth took Wasps to 40 points.

Even though, Bath succumbed to a 14-point defeat, replacement Tom Ellis and centre Ben Tapuai ensured they secured a losing bonus-point.

Wasps rugby director Young was pleased with his team's performance especially in the second half.

"It was obviously a really tough game, as you expect with it being second against third.

"We showed some fantastic stuff in attack, I thought, some real cutting-edge stuff with great support play. But to be totally honest I thought we lacked some energy in defence especially first half.

"We also had lots of flu through the camp throughout the week, so I don't think our energy levels were through the roof.

"But in fairness to the players I thought they were much more rugged in the second half and we kept Bath at bay."