Very Close Encounter

Second versus third, with the visitors Sefton having leapfrogged the Wasps in the table, but had played a game more. Earlier in the season Sefton had become the first team to win against the Wasps in over a year, still one of only two losses for the Wasps this season. So this looked as if it could be close and a tough game, and so it was to prove.

Some changes to starters and finishers but mostly the same Wasps squad as a fortnight ago in their good win against Harrogate, but captain Kate Birchall, who missed that game with an ankle injury, was back.

It was the visitors who made the better start keeping the ball through a number of phases despite solid tackling from the Wasps, but it was the Wasps who struck first.

Sefton were on the attack near halfway, but Hayley Hodgson (?) got in to turnover the ball. The ball was moved to fullback Tamar Benson, who released right wing Claire Geldard, who had been hampered by an injury against Harrogate, but was now back to her normal powerful running, to shrug off some half hearted tackling, to race away to score near the posts. Tamar Benson added the conversion 7v0 after three minutes.

The game remained close with both defences giving little away, with the Wasps back line putting in a string of crunching tackles, but Sefton kept getting the ball back.

The Wasps finally got the second breakthrough after a quarter of an hour. A run by Claire Geldard was taken on by No 8 Siobhan Lamb who was having a good game, and whilst she was stopped Fleur Stanton was in support to go over for the try, which Tamar Benson converted. 14v0

The Sefton pressure finally got a reward after twenty five minutes when a try was scored from short range and a difficult conversion added, 14v7.

The Wasps tackling was taking its toll on the Sefton players, with a number needing treatment, and as they seem to have no physio, the Wasps Head Coach was kept busy.

In added time a second Sefton converted try brought the scores level. 14v14

The Wasps had an opportunity to take a half time lead, with a good run from Sarah Wilkinson playing on the left wing, but she was stopped short and several attempts by other Wasps from short range were also stopped, and when the ball came back, a player coming at pace, failed to gather the ball to knock on.

The second half continued as close, with Sefton having much more ball, but the Wasps defence being solid.

The break through finally came at the midway point of the half. No.8 Siobhan Lamb made another powerful run, and looked as if she may score, before being stopped by a dangerous high tackle, which saw the Sefton player yellow carded.

Rather than try to regain the lead with a penalty, the Wasps looked for the try and eventually after good passing, Sarah Wilkinson spotted a gap and went through for the score. 19v14.

Despite being down to thirteen due to injuries and the yellow card, Sefton were not finished and came back with an unconverted try of their own. 19v19.

At this point they checked with the referee and he said there were ten minutes to play, which seemed short, and the game certainly went on longer.

The deadlock however did not last long. From the restart Sefton ran the ball back, but Wasps replacement outside half Lorne Mellonie, excellently anticipated a pass, and was through for the interception. She still had a lot to do, but stayed calm and outpaced the defence to score. Crucially Tamar Benson slotted the conversion over meaning Sefton needed two scores for victory.

The last ten minutes (seemed a lot longer !) was as tight as the rest of the game with Sefton keeping the ball through long periods, despite some excellent Wasps tackling, and the Wasps having chances to finish the game, but the ball going loose in Sefton tackles.

Late on Wasps prop Amber Byres was yellow carded for a high tackle (didn’t look it to me, as I though the Sefton player just ran into her, but others on the touchline backed the referee)

Finally from a re-set scrum, after the ball was put in, the Wasps backs changed their formation with outside half Lorne Mellonie shifting towards the touchline, and once the ball came out to her, she hammered it into touch to end game.

Not pretty, but an excellent close game between two well matched teams, with some solid defence from both.

The Wasps have a Cup game against Keswick next week at Mint Bridge. Keswick are currently two Leagues behind the Wasps, but look almost certain to narrow the gap (assuming the Wasps don't get promotion themselves !) as Keswick are currently top of their League seven wins from seven. So it may give the chance of some game time for the squad members, but will need to be taken seriously. -Not that the Wasps ever don't. The Development game at Vale of Lune earlier this season was almost as competitive as the Sefton game.

The week after they are off to Southport, who ran them so close at Mint Bridge, before they return to Mint Bridge the weekend after, to take on current unbeaten League leaders Sheffield. If that is as close as this one (hopefully with the same ending !) it will well worth coming down to watch.

ACTION

OTHER RESULTS

TABLE

FOOTNOTE

It appears the postponed Driffield game will be played at the end of the season, but this time Driffield will have home advantage (hopefully no unexpected late frosts).