Rugby

George Ford holds his nerve as Bath sink Wasps

Outhalf lands touchline conversion with final kick of game; Saracens hammer Oyonnax

Richard Wiggelworth dives to score during Saracens 45-10 win away at Oyonnax. Photograph: Afp

Sun Dec 13 2015 - 20:08

Wasps 23 Bath 25

George Ford kicked a match-winning conversion with the game’s final kick in front of watching England head coach Eddie Jones as Bath dramatically ended Wasps’ unbeaten European Champions Cup record with a 25-23 victory.

England ace Ford brilliantly landed the touchline extras to fullback Anthony Watson’s try in the third minute of stoppage time after Wasps were reduced to 13 men when French referee Jerome Garces yellow-carded flanker George Smith and substitute prop Lorenzo Cittadini for technical offences.

George Ford is congratulated by his Bath team-mates after landing a late converasion to secure victory over Wasps in their Champions Cup clash at the Ricoh Arena. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

It followed earlier touchdowns at the Ricoh Arena by centre Jonathan Joseph and wing Matt Banahan, in addition to two Ford penalties and a conversion, as Bath made it two wins from two in Pool Five.

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Wasps appeared to have done enough, preserving a 100 per cent group record following comprehensive victories over Leinster and Toulon last month.

Fullback Rob Miller’s try midway through the second half put Wasps ahead, while flyhalf Ruaridh Jackson kicked four penalties, centre Elliot Daly landed a long-range strike and Jackson’s replacement Jimmy Gopperth struck a late penalty – but it was not to be.

Oyonnax 10 Saracens 45

Saracens maintained their unbeaten start to the season and took a stranglehold on Pool 1 with an emphatic 45-10 bonus-point win over tournament newcomers Oyonnax.

There were tries for Alex Goode, Chris Wyles, Maro Itoje, Richard Wigglesworth and Schalk Brits, plus a penalty try and 13 points from the boot of Owen Farrell as the visitors eased to the victory.

Oyonnax's points came courtesy of a late try for replacement Arthur Aziza, a conversion from Regis Lespinas, and a penalty from Rory Clegg.

Saracens knew backing up their strong start with another win would put them in firm control of the pool at the halfway stage.

The English champions had only won three of their 10 Champions Cup pool games in France, but they had been victorious in the last two and they proved far too strong for a side sitting bottom of the French Top 14 table.

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