York Ladies 12 (12) v (12) 19 Kendal Wasps

Kendal Wasps travelled to York for what turned out to be a very close, evenly contested match. York opened the scoring on 8 minutes with a converted try 7v0, followed 6 minutes later by a second try to take the score to 12v0.

An intense battle ensued and Wasps re-grouped and found momentum late in the second-half, building the phases and then releasing Hayley Hodgson in the centre to finally break the York defence and bring Wasps right back into the game, with Tamar Benson adding the icing 12v7. Another 10 minutes of deadlock was played out before Rowan Boardley breached the York defence just before the whistle, bringing the scores level at half-time 12v12.

The second half saw some injuries which slowed the game down, but Wasps stayed focused. Forced to defend in their own 22 for 25 mins, Wasps then worked into York’s half. Playing more as a team, the collective effort earned Wasps valuable territory into the opposition 22, working left to right then swinging the play back left and stretching the York defence to allow flanker Kate Birchall to score under the posts. Once gain Tamar Benson added the conversion to give Kendal the lead 12v19.

With only a few minutes remaining, it was a supreme last effort to hold on, as York attacked one last time, only to knock the ball on at the death after good pressure by Wasps. Final score York Ladies 12 v 19 Kendal Wasps.