Bonus-point victory for Wasps leaves it tight at top of Pool Two

Just one point separates the top three in Leinster’s pool ahead of exciting run-in

Wasps’ Tom Varndell scores his second try of the game against Castres Olympique during the European Champions Cup Pool Two match at Adams Park in High  Wycombe. Photograph:  Nigel French/PA
Wasps’ Tom Varndell scores his second try of the game against Castres Olympique during the European Champions Cup Pool Two match at Adams Park in High Wycombe. Photograph: Nigel French/PA

Wasps 44 Castres 17

Wasps brought down the curtain on their 12-year tenancy at Adams Park with a bonus-point 44-17 victory over Castres that preserves their hopes of qualifying for the Champions Cup quarter-finals out of Pool Two.

The Coventry-bound club, who play their first match at the Ricoh Arena against London Irish next Sunday, had all five points sown up by half-time following tries from Jake Cooper-Woolley, Nathan Hughes, Tom Varndell and Ben Jacobs.

Castres, last season's Top 14 runners-up but now propping up the league, conceded further touch downs to Varndell, Guy Thompson and Jacobs after the interval.

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Wasps remain third in Pool Two, but are just a point behind Leinster and Harlequins, with a trip to play ’Quins in the next round followed by a home game against matt O’Connor’s side to close out the pool games.

Victory was a fitting farewell to Adams Park, home throughout the most successful period in the club’s history with eight trophies – including four Premiership and two European titles – lifted while at High Wycombe.

It was an afternoon to forget for Andy Goode, however, after the outhalf landed only two of his seven shots at goal to leave 11 points out on the pitch.

Goode’s goalkicking was wayward from the start, but on this day it made little difference as Wasps breached the whitewash with ease.