but simply could not find a way through the Wasps defence, who even when over fifty points up, were tackling as if they were defending a slender lead.

Also whilst the scores all came from the big names (i.e. the ones that even I can recognise), this was a real team performance, with the Cougars having to work hard for ever inch.

Having seen the Wasps just once last season, in the Cup semi-final. When they had a fixture just a ten minute stroll from home for me, it was an opportunity not to be missed, and I was well rewarded with a entertaining game, in which the Carlisle Cougars contributed much more that the scoreboard may suggest.

Centre Hayley Hodgson opened the scoring in the opening minutes, backing herself to get to the line rather than using the support outside her, to coast through for the try, which Abby Bland converted. 0v7

The Wasps then spent the next ten minutes under extreme pressure in their own twenty two, as the Cougars put together wave after wave of attacks. It was clear this was going to be a game of two contrasting styles, the powerful Cougars having superiority at the set pieces, rucks and mauls, but if the Wasps could get their hands on the ball, their backline could run riot, and so it proved.

Having soaked up the pressure, when the Wasps finally had the ball, they were to get their second try. Abby Bland somehow managing to break numerous tackles to score, having started from well inside her own half. 0v14

The Cougars were then hit with what appeared a bad injury to their wing which stopped play for five minutes.

After putting a Wasps scrum on their own line under pressure, the Cougars got off the mark with a try. Kendal got the ball came back, but the clearance kick was charged down, and a Carlisle player was first to react. 5v14

The Cougars then had another serious injury, with their outside half being forced off after making a powerful break.

The third Wasps try came with another run out of defence, with Hayley Hodgson adding her second. 5v21.

The Wasps had struggled with earlier kick offs, immediately putting them back in defence, but this time the ball as taken by No 6 Rachelle Malett (?), who ran the ball back at Carlisle. When the ball was moved into mid-field, Vanessa Temple powered through and there was only going to be one outcome, with a second Wasps try in two minutes. 5v28

Livewire Temple added a second, with another break out of defence with the final action of the first half 5v35.

At the kick off for the second half, the Wasps continued where they had left off, with a third Hayley Hodgson try. 5v42

From the kick off Abby Bland made a break and this time it was Vanessa Temple who finished the move. 5v49

Temple added her fourth try, but the conversion hit the post for Abby Bland’s first miss of the game. 5v54

Carlisle came back into the game and threw everything at the Wasps defence, but again it proved watertight, and when the pressure forced a Carlisle mistake, the ball went loose, and Vanessa Temple was able to hack the ball through and gather to score. 5v61

Temple’s sixth try came from close range with ten minutes to play 5v68.

The final try of the game came from Abby Bland, who drew the defence but instead of passing to Fleur Stanton outside her, went for the line herself, to score. 5v73.

If you have a free Sunday afternoon and the Wasps are at home, get down to Mint Bridge and you are likely to be very well rewarded.

Hopefully I have got the score and scorers correct. Apologies for those not mention - this really was a team performance