Worcester Ladies v Wasps Ladies

Review

Both teams deserve credit for providing an entertaining contest in atrocious playing conditions with gusting winds and torrential rain not favouring a handling game. However, despite the unfriendly environment, there were remarkably few handling errors as both sides played sensibly and provided a game which almost mirrored the earlier seasons encounter.

Worcester started very brightly, dominating the field, forwards providing platforms to release the backs and no one who was brave enough to stay and watch the game would have been surprised by the home side opening their account after just four minutes, Rochelle Clark crossing the line after an excellent rolling maul.

9 minutes later, the Worcester backs showed just what they can be capable of in a wonderful passage of play which eventually released Rachel Lund to score under the posts, however, this was not a day for kicking.

Five minutes later, the impressive Kelly Smith worked her way into space, then outpaced three defenders to add to the lead and despite the conditions, Bianca Blackburn kicked a superb conversion. More power play from the forwards saw Ammie Lensson increase the lead, Blackburn again taking extras to send the home team into the changing rooms at half time, comforted by hot soup and a 22 -0 lead.

The home side must have started the second half with expectations of high scoring win, as Rachel Lund scored her second try with powerful evasive running within 4 minutes, try scoring bonus point achieved. However, Wasps, to their credit, came fighting back and enjoyed a purple patch of 20 minutes during which Clare Purdy and Hannah West were able to reduce the deficit and give them hope of a turnaround. At this point the home side clearly recognised that they had become complacent by allowing the visitors back into the game and continued to press Wasps for the final ten minutes, but a resolute defence held out.