London Welsh 13 (tries Fonua, Elder; pens Robinson)

Wasps 40 (tries Varndell 3, Johnson, Tagicakibau, Leiua; cons Goode 4, Lozowski)

TOM Varndell's hat-trick condemned relegated London Welsh to a 19th successive Aviva Premiership defeat as Wasps ran in six tries in a 40-13 victory at Oxford's Kassam Stadium.

The defeat leaves Rowland Phillips' side on just one bonus point at the bottom of the table.

Two early tries from Varndell proved to be Welsh's undoing in the first half, echoing their 71-7 thrashing in the reverse fixture at Adams Park.

However, there was to be no repeat of that scoreline as Welsh matched their opponents in the first half, who made numerous handling errors, and No 8 Opeti Fonua went over to reduce the deficit to seven points at the break.

Welsh's Will Robinson landed a penalty after half-time, but Wasps scored their third try through Ashley Johnson.

Varndell went onto complete his hat-trick and a four-try bonus point, before Elder crossed for Welsh's second score.

Winger Sailosi Tagicakibau and Alapati Leiua saw Wasps reach 40 points in what turned out to be a commanding victory.

Elder was forced to make a try saving tackle in the second minute to deny Varndell, but the Wasps winger did not have to wait long to open the scoring.

The visitors worked the ball out wide on three minutes and Varndell raced over in the corner. Andy Goode added the extras.

Koree Britton was sin-binned in the tenth minute and Wasps took full advantage, with Varndell crossing for his second try. Goode missed the conversion.

Wasps' power in the pack and strong running was causing the Exiles all sorts of problems, but unforced errors were keeping them at bay.

Britton's return boosted the hosts and a catch and drive saw Fonua touch down for an unconverted try on 24 minutes.

The Exiles pinned Wasps back and both Peter Browne and Fonua went within inches of scoring, but the visitors held firm to maintain their seven-point lead at half-time.

Wasps piled on the pressure just after the break, but Welsh did well to keep them at bay.

Replacement fly half Olly Barkley kicked the Exiles further up the pitch and a Robinson penalty brought them within four points of the visitors.

However, a catch and driving maul saw hooker Johnson go over and Goode successfully added the extras.

And shortly after Elliot Daly showed great hands to release Varndell for his hat-trick. Goode converted.

Welsh though were not to be deterred and Elder broke clear to cross in the corner.

The visitors were in the mood to put the Exiles to the sword and Tagicakibau went over the whitewash for a converted score.

Wasps had replacement hooker Carlo Festuccia sent to the sin bin with ten minutes to go and the Exiles looked to make the most of their man advantage.

On 74 minutes, they had the put-in on Wasps' five metre line but they could not make the most of their opportunity and the visitors cleared.

Both sides pushed for further scores, but it was Wasps who had the last say as Leiua crossed and Alex Lozowski converted.

London Welsh: Robinson, Stegmann, Reynolds, May (J Lewis 69), Elder (Dobson 11 (Elder 21)), Roberts (Barkley 46), R Lewis (Rowley 69), Trevett (Aholelei 72), Britton (Dobson 76), Cooper (Gilding 72), West (McNally 63), Corker, Browne, Waters (Thorpe 63), Fonua.

Wasps: Masi, Varndell (Johnson 72), Daly (Downey 66), Leiua, Tagicakibau, Goode (Lozowski 66), Simpson (Davies 59), Mullan (McIntyre 66), Johnson (Jones 59), Cooper-Woolley (Cittadini 76), Cannon, Gaskell, Haskell, Young (Festuccia 51), Thompson.

Reps not used: Myall.

Referee: G Garner