The Wasps took a strong squad to Newcastle to play Novocastrians II, and needed it as they were pushed all the way by a team who had the majority of the ball, a talented outside half and two strong running centres (and these are at least their second choice ones, as their First XV were in action against Loughborough Ladies on the next door pitch).

The Wasps 26v0 win against the same opposition at Mint Bridge earlier in the season was one of their more straight forward wins, but there are no weak teams in this League, and Novocastrians dominated most of the early play, with the Wasps rarely getting out of their half.

There were occasional showers, but earlier rain meant the pitch was very sticky, and made running difficult for both teams. Despite the cold conditions, handling from both teams was very good with very few errors or dropped passes.

When the break through finally came after a quarter of an hour, it went to the Wasps. Fullback Ellie Dixon gathered a Novcastians kick out of defence and ran it back, she linked with Hayley Hodgson, who after making ground got the ball away to Tamar Benson, who committed the defence before timing her pass to Clare Geldard perfectly, and Geldard who had been well stopped in a few earlier strong runs, this time powered to the line for the score under the posts, with Tamar Benson adding the conversion.0v7

The second try, ten minutes later also went to the Wasps. There was a break down the left touchline, taken on by Hayley Hodgson and Sarah Wilkinson, and then fullback Ellie Dixon did well to get to the line for the touchdown. 0v12.

Just before half time Novocastrians pulled a try back. A short pass from their scrum half found prop S Falconer, and a rare gap in the Wasps defence, and she went over for the try. Mysteriously no conversion was taken, but Novocastrians were awarded the full points for a 7v12 half time score.

The Wasps came more into the game in attack after half time, but still most of their work was in making solid tackles on the Novocastrians runners.

After quarter of an hour the Wasps stepped up the pace, but the Novocastrians defence was as strong as the Wasps had been, and several good runs were stopped, but there was nothing that they could do when Kate Birchall power home for a try. Again no conversion was taken but the points awarded 7v19.

Not for the first time this season, the Wasps got on the wrong side of the referee, who after a very good first half, seemed to get a few decisions against both teams wrong, as the light faded after half time.

The final score of the game on full time came from replacement left wing India Brennan, who after being denied earlier, made no mistake when finishing off a good handling move. 7v26.

After the game the referee explained the reason for the lack of conversions. The Novos second team pitch has only a low hedge between it and a next door car park, so traditionally conversions are not taken (even some of the Novocastians seemed unaware of this).

An afternoon for defence, with both being extremely good, and the difference between the two teams was when their chances came, the Wasps were able to turn them into points.

In a fortnight the visitors to Mint Bridge will be Carlisle Cougars, the last rugby there before Christmas. So give yourself an early present and come down and given the team some extra support against what is always a strong opponent.

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