Wasps penalty try, Jimmy Gopperth's 11 points help down Bath

Wasps struck league hopefuls Bath an early blow as they defeated them 16-9 at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.

Wasps scored the only try of the game through a penalty try after Nikola Matawalu was shown a yellow card for obstruction.

Tom Homer missed a penalty early on before Christian Wade almost got Wasps' first try after knocking the ball dead following a promising chip and chase.

George Ford kicked a penalty either side of two from Jimmy Gopperth, before Bath threatened through Anthony Watson but the Wasps defence held firm.

Gopperth missed two makable penalties after half time as the Coventry-based outfit came out in the second half firing, looking to capitalise on any Bath mistake.

That mistake came after a Bath clearance kick was charged down and Matawalu, on debut, was shown a yellow card for pulling back Nathan Hughes, gifting Wasps a penalty try.

Gopperth converted the try and a quick penalty, before Ford clawed six points back with two penalties of his own to bring Bath to within a converted try.

Bath pushed Wasps all the way but a scrum penalty in the final play of the game allowed Gopperth to clear to touch and win the game for the home side.

The result means that Wasps now lie in fourth in the Aviva Premiership, overtaking Bath in fifth.