Thrower stars as Wasps cruise
By Ben Blackmore
Last Updated: 01/01/70 1:00am
Stand-in winger Edd Thrower ran in four tries as Wasps defeated Bath 47-18.
Wasps have scored an easy victory against Bath at Adams Park, the home side running in seven tries on their way to a 47-18 scoreline.
Edd Thrower was the star of the show, the winger, who normally acts as understudy to Paul Sackey, triumphantly stepping into the leading role offered by the latter's international duty to score four tries.
Wasps' other scores came from centre Fraser Waters, returning full-back Mark Van Gisbergen and 19-year-old Danny Cipriani, the latter scoring a 75-metre interception try on his debut.
Although Bath's James Scaysbrook and Michael Stephenson scored consolation tries, the visitors found the Wasps backs - orchestrated by man-of-the-match scrum-half Simon Amor - too much of a handful.
Van Gisbergen also kicked a conversion and a penalty, with second-half substitute Dave Walder also kicking two conversions and a penalty.
The home side grabbed the initiative after 12 minutes when fly-half Alex King and number eight Joe Worsley combined, their work sending Waters over to touch down from close range.
Thrower's first try came five minutes later, and perfectly illustrated the danger lurking in Wasps' backline. Taking a pass from Amor, centre Ayoola Erinle sold a dummy before passing to Van Gisbergen who, in turn, handed to the scorer.
Wasps' third came following an error at the line-out from Bath centre Eliota Fuimaono, the Samoan kicking the loose ball straight at opposing prop Tim Payne. The ball was then moved quickly out wide, with Thrower completing his brace.
Following a 60 metre burst from Amor, Thrower then completed his hat-trick - and sealed the bonus point for Wasps - with another simple touch down.
The poacher then turned gamekeeper when Thrower denied Bath their best opportunity of the match thus far by bundling winger David Bory into touch by the Wasps' corner flag.
Bath did finally score in the 68th minute when flanker Scaysbrook touched down.
But the visitors' respite did not last long, with Walder's pass feeding Van Gisbergen to score, before Cipriani promptly announced himself in style.
Right-wing Stephenson then scored Bath's second try, but Thrower sealed a comfortable win with his final try in the final minute.
