Wasps Ladies v Worcester Ladies

Review

With confidence riding high from last weekend’s win against Aylesford, Worcester travelled south to Twyford Avenue to take on Wasps which always proves to be a tough Premiership Rugby encounter.

Playing in the unfamiliar alternative kit of pink and blue, Worcester immediately put the pressure on Wasps forcing an early penalty, which Worcester kicked for territory.and attacked from the lineout. This early attack unfortunately saw Rachel Lund lost to injury after just 2 minutes following her return to action only a week ago. Benny Williams came on to replace.

Both teams were evenly matched for the first 20 minutes, with both teams trying to break the deadlock but neither could make it into either 22. This was until Kelly Smith used her pace to gain territory from a loose kick. Lisa Campbell rolled from the maul but unfortunately got penalized for accidental offside. She immediately picked the ball from the back of a strong scrum from Worcester and 18 minutes in Laura Keates crossed the line. Ceri Large converted out wide to give the visitors a 7 point start.

On 23 minutes Lark Davies hooked the ball from a scrum which Campbell picked up, passing to Bianca Blackburn to put her through for another Worcester try. Large again added the extras to take a 14 point lead.

Try’s were quickly added to the 14 point lead with Smith and Large crossing the whitewash . Large converted her own.

The first half was rounded up by Keates carrying the ball over the line for her second try of the game and Large slotting the ball between the posts. The away side leading 33 points to nil.

Wasps came out for the second half fired up and piled early pressure on Worcester, scoring in the corner early on, but couldn’t convert.

Discipline got the better of the visitors and at 60 minutes a penalty try was awarded to Wasps. Keats was shown a yellow card for a team offence.

Needing a change of tempo, for a second week, head coach Kat Merchant used her remaining subs to perfection as both Sophie Williams and Steph Clarke made an immediate impact to disrupt the Wasps pressure. On 76 minutes, Clarke broke free from the Wasps defense to cross the line for her debut Premiership try. Large couldn’t convert.

The scoreline ended 12 – 38 and 4^th place in the league consolidated for Worcester who take the winning momentum back to Weston’s Fields, Sixways next week, as they face Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.