Wasps end Gloucester's hopes

Gloucester's slim hopes of making the Guinness Premiership play-offs were dashed as Wasps ran out 34-3 winners at Adams Park.

A week after capitulating to Cardiff in the Powergen Cup final, a much-changed Cherry-and-Whites line-up was put to the sword by Wasps, who romped to a bonus-point victory.

Riki Flutey crossed twice while Tom Voyce and Simon Shaw also touched down as the champions, who had given up hope of defending their crown long ago, ended regular the season in positive fashion.

The only sombre note was provided by Danny Cipriani's withdrawal in some discomfort. The England fly-half, who kicked 10 points, hobbled from the pitch at half-time.

Gloucester began the day in fifth spot, four points adrift of fourth-placed London Irish and requiring a minor miracle to progress to the post-season.

Dean Ryan's men had already done enough to claim a place in next season's Heineken Cup but Wasps - whose victory moves them up to seventh in the table - must wait for the outcome of the Challenge Cup to discover if they will be involved.

Lewsey swansong

Instead, the match's significance lay in all four of Wasps' Lions tourists for South Africa - among them Flutey and Shaw - emerging unscathed while Josh Lewsey was able to enter retirement on a triumphant note.

Lewsey, a World Cup winner with England, played the 262nd and final game of a trophy-laden 13-year career with the club.

The 32-year-old, who will attempt to climb Everest before beginning work as a management consultant, was heavily involved as Wasps dominated the opening quarter.

Along with the equally impressive Dominic Waldouck he made a telling early break and the duo also played key roles in Flutey's opening try on 14 minutes.

Cipriani, who had opened the scoring with a third-minute penalty, kicked upfield and the chasing Lewsey smashed Gloucester's covering full-back Olly Morgan to the ground.

Support quickly arrived with outside centre Waldouck wrestling the ball free and popping the scoring pass to Flutey, who powered over on the blindside.

Cipriani added the touchline conversion but then it was Wasps' turn to defend with hooker Rob Webber sin-binned after being caught off-side.

With four minutes of the first half remaining, Gloucester finally opened their account with an Olly Barkley penalty that was cancelled out almost immediately by Cipriani.

Lung-bursting charge

England lock Shaw drew a cheer with a lung-busting charge down the touchline and on the stroke of half-time Wasps produced their second try.

Cipriani sent out a long pass that found no-one but Waldouck reacted fastest, showing composure to send Voyce in for a simple finish. Cipriani converted for a 21-3 lead at the break.

Gloucester's problems deepened 13 minutes into the second half when winger Charlie Sharples was shown a yellow card and confusion reigned when they conceded a third try.

Referee David Pearson disallowed a try by Serge Betsen but Wasps succeeded a heartbeat later when Flutey pounced on Rory Lawson's loose pass to Olly Barkley behind the line.

Substitute Jeremy Staunton converted and then added a second after Shaw barged over in injury time, concluding a dismal afternoon for Gloucester.