There was no lack of effort or desire on the part of Bryan Redpath's team but they simply couldn't find a way to breach the thin black line.

Wasps' defensive organisation was magnificent and their intensity in the physical confrontations was bordering on the frightening.

Gloucester did make initial inroads but, time and again, Wasps got bodies in the way to prevent any further damage. Gloucester simply couldn't keep the ball through enough phases to press home their advantage.

In the meantime, Wasps took full advantage of their rare sorties into Gloucester territory and provided a lesson in taking chances.

The stats will show that Gloucester dominated possession and territory. Wasps will also have put in far more tackles than the visitors but led where it counted - on the scoreboard.

A tough trip to Sale next Friday beckons and lot of soul searching will take place between now and then as Gloucester look to lick their wounds and bounce back.

Backed by a vociferous Kingsholm crowd, Carlos Spencer was quickly dipping into his bag of tricks but Akapusi Qera created the game's first decisive moment as he flattened Dominic Waldouck and forced a penalty as the centre held onto the ball. However, Spencer's penalty from the 10m line started left of the posts and stayed there.

Spencer's grubber then caused panic in the Wasps' ranks after a swift counter when a ball bounced free in midfield. Gloucester went for the catch and drive but were unable to force their way over the line.

However, Spencer got the scoreboard moving on 12 minutes when he chipped home a penalty as Wasps interfered with the ball at a ruck.

But, as has often been the case this season, Gloucester immediately conceded a score.

Wasps reclaimed the restart and moved patiently into the home 22 before releasing the ball left and Waldouck was able to take advantage of two men outside him to dummy his way past Charlie Sharples and score untouched. Walder converted for 3-7 after 15 minutes.

It provoked a spirited response from Gloucester but Wasps were canny enough not to commit too many men to the breakdown and spread the defensive line wide. But, eventually Joe Simpson conceded a penalty and Spencer made it 6-7.

One again, though, Wasps were presented with a chance to score as Will James was penalised for hands in the ruck and Walder kicked the penalty for 6-10.

Wasps were looking dangerous with ball in hand and but it was the boot of Walder that extended the lead with nine minutes to go until half time with a penalty from head on to the posts.

It had been a frustrating few minutes for Gloucester but Spencer almost unlocked the hitherto watertight defence with a flighted cross kick to Simpson-Daniel. Sinbad linked with Lesley Vainikolo but the scramble defence got across in time.

Spencer then had a chance to reduce the arrears from distance with time ticking away but scuffed his kick short and wide to bring a disappointing half for Gloucester to an end.

With Dave Lewis replacing Rory Lawson at the break, Gloucester started brightly with James Simpson-Daniel putting Lesley Vainikolo into space and the big winger rampaged down the left flank into the Wasps 22. Once again, however, the Wasps defence got back to quash the danger.

Wasps then put a penalty deep into the Gloucester 22 and hammered away at the home defence, keeping the ball for multiple phases until David Lemi put Mark Van Gisbergen into just enough space for the full back to show great strength to touch down despite tacklers being in the vicinity. 6-18 after 48 minutes.

Gloucester's response was to turn down a kick at goal and kick for the Wasps 22. Scott Lawson powered towards the posts and his team mates were there in support but the Wasps defence again put their bodies on the line to keep their line intact.

The Gloucester pack were starting to impose themselves and won a penalty in the Wasps 22 as they made a mess of a Wasps scrum but referee Pearson provoked the wrath of the Shed by immediately reversing the decision.

Going into the final quarter, Gloucester needed a lift and James SImpson-Daniel almost provided it as he ghosted into the Wasps 22 following a neat reverse of direction by Lewis and Nicky Robinson who had by now replaced Carlos Spencer. But the initial line break again brought no reward.

Insult was then added to injury as Walder booted a penalty from near halfway when Gloucester were caught offside as Wasps moved outside their 22 for the first time in what seemed like an age.

With the fans already heading for the exits in droves, Wasps sealed the win as Lemi came in off his wing to break the defensive line. Simpson took it on and offloaded superbly for Betsen to dive triumphantly under the posts. Walder's simple conversion took the score to 6-28.

There was worse to come as Van Gisbergen finished off a superb counter from deep to complete the misery with Walder's conversion making the score 6-35 and applying the coup de grace.