A perfect ten for Wasps after nine-try rout (From Bucks Free Press)

Wasps crush European minnows

10:27am Monday 22nd October 2012 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

WASPS are top of their pool after after two of their six group games following another five-point win in the Amlin Challenge Cup last night.

They put nine tries on Italian minnows Mogliano Rugby at the Stadio Maurizio Quaggia to romp to a 59-12 triumph.

After opening the tournament with a bonus-point victory over Newport-Gwent Dragons the previous weekend, the black and golds now lead Pool Three with a perfect ten from their two games.

Christian Wade led the way in Italy with two of this team’s tries, with other scores coming from Hugo Southwell, Andrea Masi, Tim Payne, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Jonathan Poff, Ashley Johnson and Joe Launchbury.

Fly half Thomas Bell added seven conversions to complete the rout.

Wasps have had a good run in Italy in recent seasons, although they have sometimes been pushed to the wire before getting the outcome they’ve wanted.

That wasn’t the case last night though.

A misplaced pass had already cost Wade one try by the time Thomas powered over for Wasps’ first points with eight minutes gone.

Bell converted to get Dai Young’s team on their way and they hardly paused for breath after that.

In the next few minutes Wade again and Johnson both came close to extending Wasps’ lead before Poff burrowed under a pile of bodies to touch down try number two with 20 minutes on the clock.

Again Bell converted and just six minutes later he was on target again and after he and Wade sliced Mogliano apart to send captain Southwell through.

That made it 21-0 and the try bonus was wrapped up when Wade finally scored the try he’d been threatening with half an hour played.

Bell made it four from four off the tee, and the points flurry continued when a burst of pace from Elliot Daly just one minute later set up Masi for Wasps’ fifth try.

By then the hosts had crossed themselves, but 35-5 represented a fine first 40 minutes, and the onslaught continued after the interval with Johnson powering over in the 49th minute.

Wade then blitzed home from long range to ground Wasps’ seventh try after 63 minutes and Payne and Launchbury finished the job off in style before the end.

With Bayonne winning 22-19 in Wales to move up to nine points in the pool, the one automatic qualifying spot will probably depend on the double header between the two sides in December.

Wasps go to France in Round Three on December 8, before the return fixture at Adams Park on December 13.