Only a second* loss at Mint Bridge for the Wasps in over two years, and whilst the winning score came with the final play of the game, Driffield fully deserved the win, having had far more possession than the Wasps, and when the Wasps had the ball offering a solid defence to stop the Wasps breaking out.

The Wasps named a very strong squad, mainly players from last season but with two making debuts. No.8 Siobhan Lamb is away travelling in Australia, but the majority of last season’s squad are available, there are a number of new players looking for selection.

Driffield started well, retaining ball through multiple phases and had the lead after just two minutes with a try on the left wing 0v5.

Driffield continue to have the majority of the ball but the Wasps came back into the game.

The Wasps finally drew level after twenty minutes. A Claire Geldard break was taken on by Hayley Hodgson, and when she was caught close to the line, Sophie Postlethwaite on the right wing did well to gather a difficult pass to scored. 5v5.

Driffield re-took the lead after half an hour when a Wasps kick was run back 5v10, which remained the lead at half time.

The Wasps drew level six minutes into the second half. The pack drove Driffield off a scrum put in close to their line, and ball was moved wide by replacements Allysia Hine and Tamar Benson, with the move finished by Hayley Hodgson. 10v10

Three minutes later the Wasps had the lead for the first time. Hayley Hodgson made a break which was taken on by scrum half Emma Lipsfitz, there was a long cross-field run by captain Katy Birchall playing in the centre, and the ball came out to Sophie Postlethwaite for her second try 15v10

Driffield re-took the lead again after twenty five minutes. Changes to the two packs saw them now on top and a good drive saw a try which for the first time was converted (all the other tries were scored wide out giving both kickers little chance). 15v17

With five minutes to play the Wasps regained the lead. There was a good run down the left by India Brennan, who had come on as a replacement, making her first appearance in over a year since a serious leg injury whilst playing for Cumbria at the end of the Wasps promotion season. When stopped the ball was moved to the right and several players tried to force their way over, and eventually Emma Lipsfitz burrowed over. Crucially the attempted conversion came back off the post 20v17

The Wasps survived a few scares, but were let down, as in much of the match, by their poor ball retention, something that Driffield had done very well, despite some strong Wasps tackling, with Kate Birchall and Tamar Benson making some excellent stops.

The ball was moved wide by Driffield from a scrum and their fullback broke away down the wing to score. The conversion failed but despite a string of injuries the referee added little time in both halves and the kick was the last action of the game.

So still no win for a Kendal Senior team this season and plenty to work on for the Wasps coaches as their team looked a little rusty after the Summer off, whilst playing a number of players out of their normal position clearly did not help them. However In reality Driffield won the game through some excellent ball retention through long periods of play, and some watertight defence whenever the Wasps had the ball, especially close to their own line.

The next game, like the Driffield game (where both were away last season) is another that did not take place last season, as the Wasps travel to Harrogate, who had their home fixture switched to Mint Bridge, after failing to raise a team for the original game at Mint Bridge, early in the season.

Their next game at Mint Bridge is Sunday 20th October, against Sefton who just pipped the Wasps to second place last season, and won their home game and only lost narrowly at Mint Bridge.

A number of Wasps games will be played on a Saturday this season including the trip to Birkenhead Park (the same day as the First and Second XV are there) and the away and home games against Blaydon the day the Kendal First XV entertain Stockport, but the game at Mint Bridge is currently on a free weekend (weather permitting).

* Had totally forgotten about the Sheffield loss last season

Special circumstances as they were excellent, whilst the Wasps were a number of normal first team players down due to injuries from the previous game. It made no difference to the result as Sheffield were just a different class to everyone else in the League.

TEAMS

Wasps		Driffield

Hayley Hodgson	15	Ellie Harding
Kathryn McMaster	14	Jaz Naylor
Clare Geldard	13	Maddy Dale
Kate Birchall	(c) 12	Chole Brocklebank
Sophie Postlethwaite	11	Hannah Swales
Lorne Mellonie	10	Emily Dean
Emma Lifshitz	9	Shannon Coupland

Hannah Metcalfe	1	Sophie Mawer
Laura Reid	2	Tippi Wadsworth
Amber Byres	3	Micha Newman
Kerri Jackson	4	Grace Ullyott
Laura Kay	5	Maddie Hollinshead
Fleur Stanton	6	Charlie Goode
Sarah Wilkinson	7	Mel Freemam
Ellie Noar	8 (c)	Laura Harris

Charlie Restall	rep	Bryony Clark
Meagan Byers	rep	Annette Hunter
Amy Butler	rep	Noc Vovk
Aimee Sharpe	rep	Kim Pickering
Allysia Hine	rep	Danielle Hayes
Tamar Benson	rep	Jess Heywood
India Brennan	rep	Jo Bastian

*	rep (TR)	Lauren Faibank

Lots of changes to the Driffield squad who played the Wasps last late season#

ACTION

Action	Team	No	Name	Time	Was	Opp

Try	Driffield			2	0	5
Try	Wasps	11	Sophie Postlethwaite	22	5	5
Try	Driffield			33	5	10
= = =	= = =	= = =	HALF TIME		5	10
Try	Wasps	15	Hayley Hodgson	46	10	10
Try	Wasps	11	Sophie Postlethwaite	49	15	10
Try	Driffield			65	15	15
Con	Driffield			66	15	17
Try	Wasps	9	Emma Lipshitz	75	20	17
Try	Driffield	15	Ellie Harding	81	20	22
= = =	= = =	= = =	FULL TIME		20	22