Wasps Maintain Fine Form

PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP holders London Wasps have continued their fine run in the run-up to the Heineken Cup campaign with an impressive victory over Bristol.

Wasps overpowered Bristol as full-back Tom Voyce contributed three of the seven tries which saw his team through to the quarter-finals of the Powergen Cup.

The visitors' director of rugby Warren Gatland cited his team's superior strength as the telling factor in their 46-8 win over a young Bristol side at the Memorial Stadium.

"The difference for me between the two sides was the physical aspect," said Gatland.

"We decide after 20 minutes not to kick and instead keep the ball in hand. We thought that at the one-on-ones we had the chance to offload the ball, and that is exactly how our two tries in the first half were created because we were able to get the ball away."

Gatland nonetheless had some qualms about Wasps' performance.

"I was disappointed by our defensive game," he admitted.

"Despite having practised all week on defending the tunnel ball, we still got caught out on a few occasions.

"Tom Voyce is a real confidence player with a great boot when kicking for touch. He's got pace - but there are still some areas of his game that need working on."

Bristol head coach Richard Hill conceded there was a huge gulf between the teams.

"This was, apart from skipper Dave Hilton, the biggest game the Bristol players have faced - so it was a big ask for them," said the former Bath and England scrum-half.

"The half-time score of 13-3 didn't reflect the territory and possession we had. In the dressing room at the interval the players thought they were still in with a chance."