Another good win for the Wasps, but a result which looked highly unlikely after ten minutes, with the Cougars 12v0 up and in total control. A few early changes from the bench, first steadied the ship, then sent it powering towards victory. As in a number of earlier games it was the Wasps superior fitness which gave them control of much of the second half, apart from one spell which resulted in the Cougars third try.

The Cougars dominated the early part of the game with their strong running forwards sucking in the Wasps defence, and the opening try came from short range after seven minutes. 5v0.

The lead was almost immediately extended as the Cougars ran the kick off back, and a long run saw a try under the posts which was converted for a 12v0 lead.

This saw an early introduction of a number of players from the bench, and an immediate response from the team, as the kick off was stolen back, to give the Wasps a chance to attack for themselves.

It took until the twenty-third minutes for the Wasps to open their scoring. After a period of pressure in the Cougars twenty-two, Cath Sewell took a penalty quickly and there was no stopping No.8 Susie Winter as she drove over for the try. Tamar Benson added the conversion 12v7

Five minutes later the Wasps were back on level terms. This time it came from a flowing move from the backs, with some great passing and support, and a good run from right wing India Brennan, but again it was Susie Winter who got the touchdown. 12v12

This remained the score at half time, but the Wasps should have turned the happier team.

Seven minutes into the second half the Wasps had the lead for the first time. From a scrum the ball came to outside half Lornie Mellonie who made ground then got a pass away, and it came to Hayley Hodgson. She had been well covered by the Cougars since she had come off the bench, but this time had too much and got the touchdown, with Tamar Benson adding the conversion. 12v19

The next score came after twenty minutes. The Cougars had been getting on the wrong side of the referee, and he had advanced penalties for players talking back and issued a warning, but the Wasps handed out their own punishment. A penalty was run quickly and having been stopped on a few earlier opportunities, including one when she seemed to be away, but the referee had had to stop the game for an injury, this time there was no stopping right wing India Brennan who went over for the try. 12v24

The game was made safe from the kick off. No.8 Susie Winter took the ball and ran it back, and when the ball was moved to Hayley Hodgson with some space to work with she was away. India Brennan was in support for the pass, but it never came with Hodgson getting to the line for the try which again Tamar Benson converted. 12v31

The Cougars came back and had a long spell of pressure in the Kendal twenty two, with a great battle taking place between the powerful Cougars runners, and Wasps solid defence. After a few penalties, the Cougars went over for a try from short range 17v31 and briefly looked possible of a comeback to draw the game, but again the Wasps re-grouped to cut out further opportunities.

The game ended with the Cougars on the attack looking for another try, only for a pass to be intercepted by Hayley Hodgson, who went through from close to halfway for her third try, with Tamar Benson converting with the last action of the game, for a final score 17v38.

Most of the tries may have come from the more established names, but yet again this was a great team performance with so many of the players looking comfortable with ball in hand and knowing what to do when it came to them, with passes coming at the right moment, but tackles taken and the ball recycled quickly when necessary.

A trademark of Wasps performances this season has been that their tackling seems to get even more ferocious as the games go on. In the second half the Cougars backs were given no room, with Kate Birchall putting in a number of tackles, that drove ball carriers backwards.

Next weekend the Wasps are at home on Sunday afternoon to Blaydon Red Kites, and if the contest is as good as the away game was, it will be well worth seeing.

If you have not been down to a Wasps game recently, do make the effort, and give this group of players the support they deserve. They are now four wins from four, against teams who themselves have had some very good players.