Bath 30 Wasps 23

Rugby league convert Kyle Eastmond scored his first Aviva Premiership try as Bath edged to a 30-23 triumph over London Wasps.

In an entertaining first half, the hosts took a 10-6 lead via a converted try from centre Matt Banahan and an Olly Barkley penalty. Nicky Robinson responded for the Buckinghamshire outfit with two three-pointers and, although Tom Varndell and Christian Wade went over in the second period, two further Barkley penalties and touchdowns from Tom Biggs and Eastmond sealed the victory. Robinson did score a late three-pointer as the visitors went away with a deserved losing bonus-point. Both sides endured mixed fortunes in round one of the Premiership campaign. While Wasps fell to a galling 42-40 defeat to Harlequins, despite leading 40-13 at one stage, the West Country side overcame Worcester Warriors with the last kick of the game. However, head coach Gary Gold lamented his team's performance and called for a vast improvement ahead of this encounter. They certainly set out with more intent and were rewarded with an early penalty through Barkley, but the visitors responded with one of their own from Robinson. It was the hosts who continued to control proceedings, though, and almost broke the High Wycombe-based outfit's defence after surges from Nick Abendanon and Eastmond. Bath eventually crossed the whitewash when Banahan scythed through the Wasps' defence, Barkley converting. But it only served to spur on the visitors with Wade as dangerous as ever. Although they failed to find the decisive try, a Robinson three-pointer reduced the arrears at the break. Despite an excellent end to the first period, they undid their good work and allowed the hosts to go clear at the start of the second. Barkley had added another from the tee before Biggs latched on to a loose ball to touch down. Nevertheless, there is a renewed spirit with Wasps this season and Varndell went over after an audacious kick from Marco Wentzel. But the hosts effectively sealed the win when Eastmond crossed the whitewash, despite a late converted score from Wade. Barkley and Robinson then traded late penalties as Wasps went away with a losing bonus-point.