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Rugby Union

Wasps book place in playoff final after seeing off Bath

18/05/2008

Wasps have reached the Guinness Premiership playoff final after beating Bath 21-10 at Adams Park.

Tries from Fraser Waters, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer guided the London side into the final at Twickenham on May 31st.

Wasps' victory was marred by Danny Cipriani being stretchered off, and needing oxygen treatment, after suffering a leg injury in the 49th minute.

Olly Barkley, on a run of 15 consecutive kicks at goals, made a nightmare start by missing two penalties in the opening five minutes.

But Bath still drew first blood, when a handling error from Josh Lewsey behind his own try line allowed Alex Crockett to pounce on the loose ball and touch down on the half-hour mark.

Wasps came straight back with the forwards using their power to allowWaters to cross the line, with Cipriani slotting over the conversion.

Just five minutes later Wasps stretched their lead when the backs moved the ball wide from a five-metre scrum, allowing Flutey to dive over in the left corner.

Cipriani again booted over the extra to give the home side a 14-7 lead at the break.

The England fly-half was then stretchered off after screaming in pain when he was tackled by Barkley.

Wasps stretched their lead when Palmer finished off a slick passing move to touch down, with Marc van Gisbergen adding the extras.

Barkley kicked over a penalty to reduce Bath's deficit to 11 points but they never looked like mounting a comeback, as Wasps held on to clinch their place in the playoff final.