Barbeary’s time must come says Blackett

By GARY FITZGERALD

Wasps …………….41pts

Tries: Miller 2, Alo 21, Stooke 38, Odogwu 68 70; Barbeary 74, 80

Conversions: Gopperth 22, 69, 80

Bath ………………..24pts

Tries: Prydie 17, Faletau 32, Spencer 47

Conversions: Bailey 18, 33, 48

Penalties: Bailey 52

ALFIE Barbeary put his international frustration to one side to inspire Wasps to another Premiership victory and heap more misery on Bath.

The 21-year-old crossed for two late tries while another England wannabe, wing Paolo Odogwu also raced over for a double near the end.

Wasps head coach Lee Blackett insists his exciting young forward Barbeary, who has so far failed to make the squads for the trips to Scotland and Italy, just needs to remain patient a little longer before Eddie Jones names him in his Six Nations match day 23 rather than send him back to his club.

Barbeary leapt off the bench after just five minutes due to Brad Shields’ rib injury, to put the seal on a third successive league win for the hosts who came from seven points behind to beat Bath with four tries in 12 minutes at the end.

Bath played most of the second half with 14 men following England wing Semesa Rokoduguni’s sending off.

Blackett added: “It’s about working hard for Alf, and not getting frustrated when he is not picked. People don’t realise how difficult it is going to an England camp for two or three days and then rock back here.

“He’s a quality player and will get his chance whether it is this camp or the next one. One thing I know that guy definitely has the ability to play international rugby.”

Wasps led early when the ball was swept out wide left to Josh Bassett and his back-of-the-hand pass sent Rob Miller over in the corner.

Full-back Tom Prydie responded with a try in the left corner after the visitors worked the ball across field from a lineout and Max Ojomoh fed his partner to saunter over untouched.

The fast flowing end-toend entertainment continued with powerfully built Wasps prop Biyi Alo bulldozing his way across for a try from a driving maul, aided more than a little by Joe Launchbury. Jimmy Gopperth – who Blackett confirmed is joining Leicester Tigers next season – converted but the visitors were certainly geared up for the fight.

The impressive Ojomoh weaved his way through a gap and slipped a short pass to the supporting Faletau to stroll over with Bailey’s conversion nudging Bath ahead.

However, their defence was as generous as their attack clinical, and Wasps were back ahead by the break courtesy of an Elliott Stooke try in the left corner from Ben Morris’ pass.

Bath suffered a major blow within seconds of the restart with the dismissal of Rokoduguni who went into the tackle on Spink upright and hit the Wasps man with his shoulder to the face. Referee Anthony Woodthorpe showed him a red card.

However, the West Country side refused to let the loss affect them. Indeed, they replied in style as loanee No.8 Nathan Hughes galloped down the left flank and his outstanding kick ahead with the outside of the right boot allowed Ben Spencer to win the foot race for the ball and pounce on it for a try.

Bailey converted and succeeded with an outstanding long range penalty in the blustery wind to increase the lead to seven points.

But Wasps managed to galvanise themselves for a final onslaught with three tries inside five minutes through Odogwu and Barbeary before Barbeary finished it off in the 80th minute.