The game was streamed live by Halifax. Not BBC standard (more early ITV coverage of rugby – but without the advertising breaks just when a team looked like scoring). So this summary is based in that

A bad start for the Wasps as Halifax took the lead with a converted try in just the second minute after a flowing move down the right. 7v0.

Halifax continued to have the better of play, but the Wasps held out until a second try after quarter of an hour. 12v0

At this point it looked like another long afternoon for the Wasps, but they came back and had time in the Halifax half, but handling errors and a strong defence meant there were no real chances to score.

In their best period of play just before half time, the Wasps were pressing in the Halifax twenty-two when the ball was lost. It was quickly moved wide where a Halifax centre went almost the length of the field for the score, which was converted 19v0.

There was no more scoring before half time

The Wasps started the second half well and put pressure on Halifax in their own half.

There was a try for the Wasps when Halifax tried to run out of defence, but Sarah Wilkinson anticipated the pass to intercept and score under the posts, but the conversion was not successful. 19v5

Halifax restored the lead ten minutes later with a fourth try 24v5

The Wasps continued to look for scores, but were being let down by handling errors, and wrong options.

The final score came with five minutes to play. Lauren Oates gathered a Halifax kick through into the Wasps twenty-two, and set off on a good counter attacking run. When stopped the pass inside failed to go to hand and was gathered by a Halifax player, and was moved on for the score, which was converted from near the touchline.

Due to stoppages the video ran an out early, with Halifax on in the attack near the Wasps line, but there was no further score.

Sefton lost to Champions Driffield, but stay above the Wasps. Despite their bonus point win Halifax also did not rise further, as Chester above them, unexpectedly beat second place Bishop Auckland

I think this means relegation back to NC 1 North for the Wasps where they will probably face Carlisle and Lancaster, but it looks as if Keswick (who the Wasps defeated comfortably in pre-season) will be promoted to replace the Wasps, whilst Workington will be relegated. There may also be fewer games in a seven team league (this season), who only played each other twice this season (unlike the three games in the year the Wasps were promoted). However a slightly easier environment for the newcomers to sharpen their skills.

Link to Halifax's Streaming of the game

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