Aylesford Bulls Ladies v Wasps Ladies

Review

Glorious sunshine at the Jack Williams this week saw the visitors Wasps starting the stronger of the two teams.

Early pressure in the opening 5 minutes and Wasps winger breaking down the left wing, the ball was recycled quickly and repeatedly, with all the backs showing quick hands to allow their flyhalf Tess Gardner to cross in the right hand corner. The conversion was missed and the score was 5-0 to Wasps.

Bulls found it hard to build any momentum, although Sarah Riordan, playng at flyhalf  was a constant threat, at 12 minutes she broke through and escaped 4 tackles before finally being caught by Wasps.

A slip in concentration saw a penalty given away close to the Bulls try line. Wasps chose an attacking line out on the 5m line, it was well executed and the Wasps pack drove a maul to secure their second try. 12-0 after 17 minutes.

Aylesford then started putting pressure on the Wasps try line, however the Wasps defence was holding strong. After about 5 minutes of try line defence Wasps gave away a penalty and rather than going for the quick tap Aylesford choose the line out. The line out was well executed and though Wasps continued with a strong defensive line Aylesford’s Caitlain Blanchard touched down under the posts to bring the game to 5-12.

Wasps finished the half strongly, again pilling pressure on the Aylesford line, a penalty was awarded for Aylesford being offside at the ruck and a quick tap released the winger Marissa Lowe to touch down before half time. The score now 5-17.

The second half was a frustrating one for both teams, Wasps had the large majority of the territory and possession but strong defence and several handling errors stopped them from crossing the line.

At 75 minutes Wasps were about to make a break on the left wing after a quick tap penalty when Aylesford winger Silvia Zoccheddu was not back 10 and tripped the player to stop the break, she was shown a yellow card meaning Aylesford playing out the game with 14.

Wasps made the most of the extra player and a great break down the left wing by the Wasps centre Gemma Rowland, who almost made the try line, was recycled quickly and efficiently to allow the replacement prop Louise Leonard to touch down in the left corner.

The game ended 5-22 with Wasps one try short of a try bonus point and Aylesford 2 points short of a losing bonus point.