The London cluub completed a double after their European cup win seven days earlier.

With neither team able to stamp their authority on the match, the outcome was in doubt until the end as a 59,500 crowd endured a nailbiting finale.

But this has been Wasps season and they could not be denied a glorious European and domestic double.

Bath led by a solitary Chris Malone penalty at the interval following a bruising first half which saw some bad tempers, several ferocious hits and plenty of tension as both sides battled for supremacy.

Fraser Waters and Rob Howley had tries disallowed by referee Chris White.

But Wasps biggest hindrance was their mis-functioning line-out which was costing them a truck-load of possession.

Needle between Howley and his opposite number Martyn Wood erupted into a brief dust-up and trouble ignited again in the players tunnel at half time with Lawrence Dallaglio apparently having to be separated from Wood.

Wasps fly-half Alex King levelled the scores with a drop-goal moments after the restart but Malone replied in kind, restoring his sides three-point cushion and setting up a grandstand finish.

But the defending champions had the final say when a poorly executed 64th-minute move in Baths midfield saw Tom Voyce come up with the ball and he found Abbott who galloped home.

Kiwi Mark Van Gisbergen added the conversion and Wasps managed to repulse a late assault from their opponents as they completed the second leg of their double.

Abbott told Sky Sports: Its a brilliant way to go out for Paul. Its fantastic, we knew it was going to be a big ask but we were just lucky enough to get it.

Van Gisbergen admitted it had not been the most sparkling display of rugby.

But felt he and his team-mates had been on an irresistible charge over the last two weeks.

We had a chance to make history today, we were fired up, he said.

Weve had the motto all year - defences win championships. I think were a very good side.