Bath spoil Cipriani's return

Danny Cipriani kicked 11 points on his comeback but it wasn't enough to stop Wasps slipping to a 27-23 defeat on home soil to Bath.

The 20-year-old fly-half played 51 minutes of the Guinness Premiership clash at Adams Park, kicking three penalties and also converting Riki Flutey's try.

Back in action nearly two months ahead of schedule, the England international overcame a shaky start as he made his return from a horrific ankle injury suffered against the same opponents last year.

However, Cipriani's efforts proved to be in a losing cause, Bath claiming a bonus-point success that sends them to the top of the table.

Ferocious start

The visitors made a ferocious start, prop Matt Stevens leading the way as he set up Michael Claasens for the opening score after just six minutes.

Sadly for Cipriani it was his error that led to the try, an inability to deal with Butch James' high kick allowing Bath to get the breakthrough.

He was at no fault for the second; this time Stevens turning from provider to scorer as he burst through the middle to touch down between the posts.

James landed the easy conversion to make it 12-0, though the lead didn't remain in double figures for long as Wasps responded with a penalty.

Cipriani's kick sparked a sudden revival by the hosts, a second three-pointer just after the half-hour coming just before Flutey finished off good work by lock Tom Palmer.

Another long range penalty before the break put Wasps up 16-12 and at that stage everything seemed to be going to plan for Ian McGeechan's side.

The lead should have been even greater had referee Sean Davey not ruled a 33rd minute penalty was wide of the target, even though both touch judges raised their flags to say it had gone through the posts.

But, before Wasps took their returning number 10 off, Jeremy Staunton coming on as a replacement after being dropped to the bench following Friday's win at Leicester, Bath had hit the front again.

Driving pack

Hooker Pieter Dixon got a third visiting try - only for the lead to change hands again when the home pack drove flanker Tom Rees across near the right corner flag, the touchline conversion from Staunton making it 23-20.

This time Wasps' advantage lasted for less than a minute, though, Joe Maddock getting Bath's fourth score of the night to grab an extra point.

South African James added the extras to give the team from the west county a cushion that they managed to preserve right through to the final whistle.

Their victory consigns the defending champions to a fourth loss in five league outings, not even a losing bonus point and the return of Cipriani managing to lift their mood as they now sit third from the bottom.

At least England supremo Martin Johnson will be delighted to see one of the country's brightest talents back in action, particularly 24 hours after Jonny Wilkinson suffered another serious injury.