Return trip to Sefton

Kendal travelled to Sefton with an all Wasps squad looking for their first win of the season. There were late changes to positions, but the whole squad had open minds and were willing to put in their best efforts as always.
The last time these two teams met at Mint Bridge, it was a closely fought battle ending 22-22, and so this was an anticipated return to Sefton with every chance of beating them.

The Wasps started strongly, putting together some nice phases of play and recycling the ball well. Sefton had a number of strong runners, who early into the first half, applied pressure and crashed over the try line for their first score. The kicker missed the conversion leaving the score 5-0.
The Wasps went straight back at Sefton from the kick off and won a line out in their 22'. A few phases of play from both sides took place and Sefton made their way into the Wasps half when the ball was brilliantly turned over. It was slow ball, but the forwards lined up and Anna Waite took the ball at first receiver, taking the ball up to the defensive line before off loading it to Holly Howard who crashed into the line. Holly had two tacklers bringing her down as she off loaded the ball one handed to Amy Orrow on her left shoulder. Amy found herself in space just over the halfway line and put her foot on the gas, despite having two players to beat, Amy avoided being chased down and managed to score under the posts for the Wasps first try. This was then converted by the Wasps fullback Tamar Benson, 5-7 to Kendal.

Understandably, this gave the Wasps a new found energy and again they put together some nice passages of play and defended very well. Unfortunately the chances created were not finished off and the Wasps failed to score again in the match although they came close a couple more times. The Sefton players used their big runners well and made their way up the pitch on several occasions, dominating in the scrum and supported each other's carries to score their tries in the second half.

Some players that need mentions are Lauren "omnipresent" Harkness who yet again put in some great tackles all over the pitch and carried the ball well in the back line. Kate Birchall made her debut senior appearance today after turning 17 just a few days before and smashed it playing out on the wing. Watch this space for her to improve with every game! Zoe Dixon never misses a tackle no matter who is running at her, and that made a real impact on the game bringing down some big runners who looked dangerous. Rowan Boardley made a return to the Wasps after being away at University for a few weeks and found herself at Fly Half which isn't usual for her but she took it in her stride and made some good decisions to put the centres in space and also used the boot on different occasions to get the Wasps out of trouble. While on the subject of the boot, Tamar Benson has been putting some kicking practise in at training and that showed, getting the Wasps up the pitch and out of trouble areas with great kicks out of hand and her restarts really troubled the Sefton players who didn't seem to want to catch the high balls. The whole team deserve a pat on the back for gritting their teeth to the final whistle and digging deep. Once again, the Wasps efforts cannot be faltered.

Despite the score line, the Wasps played hard for the full 80 minutes yet again, forcing Sefton to use their imagination and work hard for their scores. Smiles all round at the final whistle, not least because Aimee Sharp made a comical error by knocking the ball on at a quick tap penalty and falling over in the process 2m from the try line... sorry Sharpey... couldn't miss that bit out!

Next Sunday the Wasps are away to Southport for their first meeting this season.