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Rugby Union

Returning Cipriani cannot stop Wasps defeat

01/10/2008

Wasps have slipped to their fourth defeat from five matches in the Guinness Premiership despite Danny Cipriani's return to the starting line-up.

Ian McGeechan's side lost 23-27 to Bath at Adams Park and remain in the bottom three of the table while their opponents retuned to the top of the pile following their victory.

Bath took an early lead thanks to tries from Michael Claassens and Matt Stevens. The England prop created the first for Claassens before a bulldozing run saw him score under the posts himself.

Butch James added a conversion to make it 12-0 before Cipriani got Wasps on the scoreboard. He kicked two penalties, showing no ill-effects of the ankle injury that had kept him out of action for four-and-a-half months.

Lock Tom Palmer then set-up Riki Flutey for Wasps' first try and Cipriani's third penalty gave them a 16-12 lead at the break.

Bath responded well at the start of the second period, with Stevens again in the thick of the action, he set-up fellow front-row forward Pieter Dixon who surged over the line from short range to restore the visitors' lead.

James then extended Bath's lead with a penalty only for Wasps to overtake them thanks to Tom Rees' try. The Wasps pack drove Bath over the line and the flanker was at the bottom of the pile with the ball.

Jeremy Staunton, who had replaced Cipriani after 51 minutes, added the conversion, but their lead lasted only one minute.

Winger Joe Maddock crossed the whitewash with 20 minutes to go to score Bath's fourth try and give them an important bonus point.

James added the conversion to give Bath a four-point cushion which they held on to until the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Sale dropped to third in the table following a 28-6 defeat to London Irish at the Madejski Stadium. Richard Thorpe, Peter Hewat, Alex Corbisiero and Sailosi Tagicakibau all scored to give Irish a bonus point.

Leicester Tigers moved into second place after Toby Flood scored 19 points in their 29-19 win over Northampton.

Bristol remain bottom of the league and are still without a win after they lost 23-16 to Saracens at the Memorial Stadium. Glen Jackson kicked 18 points, including five penalties and a drop-goal for Sarries who are now fourth.