BATH head coach Mike Ford was a relieved man after his team collected a bonus point victory over Wasps to maintain an unbeaten home Aviva Premiership record going back to December 2012.

Ford said after the 32-25 success: "It was pretty stressful. It's a grind, with the Premiership, the LV= Cup and Europe.

"As a coach looking for perfection, you want the players to be on edge every week. Today we weren't - we were a bit lacklustre.

"Having said that, after a bonus point win at home, you can never knock a Premiership win.

"We attacked well at times, got four tries quite early in the second half. Credit to Wasps, they kept going and fighting for a draw there at the end.

"We're pleased with a five- point win but we know we need to get better for Saracens on Friday night."

Asked to explain the sluggish nature of Bath's defensive line speed, Ford added: "I wish I could. But we've not had a weekend's break for 25 weeks.

"We just need to come out like a coiled spring on Friday night."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "The restarts in the first 20 minutes gave us lots of problems which left us with a mountain to climb really.

"But after that I was really pleased with our efforts, our commitment and obviously a bit of quality to back that up. So I thought we were right in the game up to the end.

"But what proved the difference was a poor start and the interception was a 14-pointer because we had a three-man overlap and he (Anthony Watson) was the last defender.

"These are difficult places to come and win. It's a quality Bath team and we were right in there. We're not rejoicing in the losing bonus point though."

Wasps have a vital home game against Sale next weekend and Young added: "That's the next step for this team - to back it up week after week and play at the same level.

"Any home game is massive but at this business end of the season, against teams around us, you've got to win your home games."

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