An entertaining game between the two teams at the foot of the League, with the Wasps falling just short of victory, against a Sefton team who handled well, but more importantly defended strongly close to the line, to hold out and drive back the Wasps.

Hayley Hodgson, Allysia Hine, Emma Lifshitz, and Sarah Wilkinson returned to the team after not being involved a fortnight ago at Bishop Auckland, with Aimee Sharp and Lorne Mellonie moved to the bench, joined by Lauren Oates and Holly Pomfret.

In Kate Birchall’s absence, Amber Byers lead the team.

Earlier in the season the two teams had drawn, but recently Sefton had picked up a try scoring bonus point at leaders Bishop Auckland, and won away at Chester Divas, having inflicted a rare defeat on Driffield at the start of the season

After a heavy downpour an hour before kick-off, the main pitch was waterlogged, and the game was played on the 3G, but it stayed dry during the game.

Sefton had the better start, attacking the road end, and after it looked as if the Wasps would hold out, Sefton fullback Molly Charters opened the scoring for the visitors. 0v5

The Wasps hit back almost immediately. Sefton ball was turned over near halfway on the right, and moved right. Hayley Hodgson powered through a gap, and whilst stopped got the ball away to Sophie Postlethwaite, who sped away, heading to the posts to make her own conversion easier. 7v5.

Five minutes later when awarded a penalty in front of the posts, but a very long way out, the decision was taken to give Sophie Postlethwaite a kick at goal and the ball sailed over, to extend the lead. 10v5.

Sefton were passing well and were being helped by some very non-Wasp like weak tackling, and several times Emma Lifshitz, Sarah Wilkinson and especially Hailey Coutts came to the rescue. A number of time, Sefton players decided to take Coutts on in the centre rather than pass, only to find it was not such a good idea

After quarter of an hour, following pressure in the Wasps twenty-two, Sefton re-took the lead with a second try for fullback Molly Charters, this time converted by Emma Fitzsimmons. 10v12.

When awarded another penalty, a little closer to the posts, Sophie Postlethwaite was again given a kick. This time it came back off the posts.

The Wasps re-took the lead with a try by Jasmine Cox from short range. 15v12.

The last score of the half went to Sefton to re-take the lead with a try by second row Sophie Topham. This followed a penalty against the Wasps at the breakdown, although it appeared Sarah Wilkinson had managed to steal the ball legally, so possibly for an earlier offence. 15v17.

The Wasps had conceded a lot of high tackles and Claire Geldard was the unfortunately one to be the next after a warning and following the try was yellow carded for one in the build-up. The Wasps may have been lucky to have not temporarily gone down to thirteen, as soon after there was another high tackle, but this time only a penalty.

Sefton turned with the narrow lead and extended their lead early in the second half with a try from short range, converted by Emma Fitzsimmons 15v24

The Wasps had the better of play, but could find no way through the Sefton defence, and their backs often threatened to breakaway on a counter attack.

There was a long stoppage for treatment to Amber Byers, but fortunately she was able to continue.

Finally after twenty minutes there was a breakthrough for the Wasps with a second try for Sophie Postlethwaite.

It looked as if Sophie Postlethwaite had gone over for a third try to take the lead, but the referee had spotted the final pass had been forwarded.

As the game came to an end the Wasps were on the attack near the Sefton line, and in earlier seasons someone would had forced their way over, but as in a number of games this season, the opposition defence was excellent. So the Wasps fell just short.

A positive in the second half, was the performance of new scrum half (Holly Pomfret ?), with Emma Lifshitz moving to fullback. So after having no scrum half, and having to play players out of position there earlier in the season, it looks as if the team could now have two.

Next week, the team play the re-arranged game against Sheffield – which appears to be on SATURDAY.

PLAYERS OF THE MATCH

Forward....................... : HAILEY COUTTS
Back ............................. : SOPHIE POSTLETHWAITE
Opposition Choice : EMMA LIFSHITZ

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