LONDON, 30 May 2004 — Wasps completed a dream double yesterday, edging Bath 10-6 to win the English Premiership final six days after their last-gasp victory over Toulouse in the European Cup, also at Twickenham.
A tight game where defenses dominated was effectively decided by England center Stuart Abbott’s breakaway try midway through the second half.
That score, converted from the line by fullback Mark van Gisbergen, put the defending champions ahead for the first time after Bath, who had led the league throughout the regular season, had ground out a 6-3 lead.
Wasps, who had a nightmare in the lineout for the first hour, then relied on the defense that has served them so well all year to keep out a Bath side seeking a record seventh title, but first since 1996.
The victory completes an astonishing season for Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who won the World Cup, regained the national captaincy and has now led his club to a European and domestic double.
“Last week was the cake, this week was the icing,” Dallaglio said.
“The level of competition in England and Europe is getting better and better, so for us to do this year of all years is fantastic.
“We haven’t got the resources of some of the other clubs and no one can say we don’t deserve it.
Bath, however, looked fresh and their lineout was dominant as they took full advantage of the wayward throwing of Wasps hooker Trevor Leota.
Chris Malone, again preferred at flyhalf to England international Olly Barkley, landed an early penalty to put Bath ahead but missed another as their territorial pressure kept Wasps on the back foot.
Bath continued to make most of the running, kicking for the corners and driving their forwards through the middle, but the Wasps defense held firm to reach the break 3-0 down. Wasps coach Warren Gatland’s half-time team talk appeared to inspire his team and Bath’s hard-earned advantage was wiped out within a minute when flyhalf Alex King landed a drop goal.
Shortly after another stolen lineout ball helped Malone restore Bath’s lead with a drop goal of his own after 49 minutes, Gatland replaced Leota with Ben Goting, who was immediately more accurate with his throwing.
