Second Half Revival

Manchester had the better of the opening play, but almost the first time the Wasps had the ball, they opened the scoring. The ball was moved from the left into the centre, where centre Sarah Wilkinson powered through, to score under the posts with fullback Hayley Hodgson put over the conversion. 7v0.

Any thoughts that the Wasps would have everything their own way were soon dispelled, as Manchester came straight back into the game, and after Kendal had a few lets off, when players were stopped close to the line, finally a Manchester player crossed for an unconverted try. 7v5.

Manchester continued to play well, and their powerful defence was encouraging the Wasps to throw loose passes, whilst in attack they were offloading quickly to keep the Wasps defence stretched.

After more let offs close to the line, including one where a player was penalised for a double movement on the try line, Manchester took the lead. After good build up work, a player dived over a ruck to get the touchdown. 7v10

The Wasps then tightened up their game, with the forwards starting to make space for their backs. New wing Josie Leiper (?) making several good breaks.

The second try came from good work down the left, before a powerful run from Kerry Stevens, made space for the ball to be moved wide, for centre Michelle Larkin to power through for a try, which Hayley Hodgson again converted. 14v10.

This remained the score at half time.

Whatever their coach (and the players themselves) had said at half time, it did the trick, with the Wasps taking the game to Manchester, who continued to defend well, but were getting far fewer opportunities to attack.

The Wasps extended their lead after ten minutes, with a second Sarah Wilkinson try 19v10, and she added a third two minutes later to extend the lead to 24v10

Both teams went looking for further scores, but the defences were too strong.

With two players down injured, the game was about to end slightly early, but Manchester who had a scrum, wanted to look for a try, which with a conversion, would give them a bonus point.

Whilst they won the scrum, the Wasps managed to turn the ball over, and it was moved into the centre, where Sarah Wilkinson burst through again, for her fourth try 29v10.

Despite not being at their best at times in the first half, this was another good performance against a strong Manchester team, whose defensive display was best summed up by it being a rare occasion where Hayley Hodgson was unable to added to her try scoring tally – and it was not for want of trying on her part. Fortunately for the Wasps Sarah Wilkinson manged to find the openings, but this really was the normal Wasps all round team performance, with everyone contributing in attack and defence.

The game was well refereed by Craig Hine.