Southport 15 (5) v (10) 15 Kendal Wasps

The Wasps were lucky to escape with a draw against at Southport side, which as they had in the second half at Mint Bridge earlier in the season, were the stronger team after half time..

Already without Tamar Benson, the Wasps lost wing Sarah Wilkinson with a leg injury midway through the first half, and Kate Birchall midway through the second half, whilst others needed treatment.

The opening exchanges were even, but it was the Wasps who got the opening score after five minutes. Southport ball was stolen and moved to Sarah Wilkinson on the left wing, who forced her way over. 0v5

The Southport defence was up very quickly to cut out Wasps passing moves, and some erratic Wasps passing saw the ball often failing to find its intended target.

Southport drew level just after quarter of an hour play, with a try from short range, following a penalty. 5v5.

The Wasps took the lead again after half an hour, with a try from Claire Geldard who had come on as replacement, but had previously been well marked by the good Southport defence. The Southport bench felt there had been a double movement, but the referee was on the spot and happy the grounding was legal. 5v10

This was the score at half time.

As in the game at Mint Bridge, Southport took control after half time, and if the Wasps passing was still erratic, Southport’s was excellent, with frequent passes out of the tackle, but as ever the Wasps defence was equal to the challenge.

Southport drew level quarter way through the second half. The Wasps turnover ball but it was quickly kicked away, which allowed Southport to attack again and score from short range. 10v10

Southport continued to dominate in attack, and often when the Wasps had the ball they were forced backwards.

On the half hour, with the Wasps desperately defending on their line, a Wasps player was yellow carded. This seem harsh considering Southport had been penalised for a string of high tackles which prematurely ended Wasps attacks, without further action (seemingly far more than conceded by the Wasps, or in a normal game).

The Wasps held out from the penalty, but finally Southport were rewarded, with the try their efforts deserved, to take the lead 15v10.

As in the home game when they went behind, the Wasps re-grouped and went on the attack, but Southport defended resolutely.

Almost inevitably when the breakthrough came it was from Hayley Hodgson, who had had a very quiet afternoon, seeming happier to pass than taking on the Southport defence which was always up very quickly, but this time she did, and shrugged off some tackles to power through to score under the posts.

Having seen Southport failed to convert their recent try from a fairly central position, with neither of their normal kickers playing, the Wasps returned the favour with the conversion missed, to leave the scores level. 15v15.

The Wasps were on the attack when the final whistle blew.

It would have been harsh on Southport for a second time to lose out late on to the Wasps, having played so well, and equally the Wasps did very well to contain an at times Southport’s rampant attack in the second half.

The Wasps will have to up their game for the challenge from leaders Sheffield next week, but they certainly can. The concern will be how serious the injuries were.

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