Wasps Ladies vs Harlequins Ladies

Match Report by Holly Foskett

Wasps FC Ladies came out in black and gold to face Harlequins Women for the first game of the Tyrrell’s Premier15’s Season. After a tough 1st half which ended with Harlequins 21 points up, Wasps fought back to leave the final score at 32-38, just missing the win over the visitors. However with 5 tries scored between Abby Dow, Louise Dodds and Kate Hallett- Wasps FC Ladies take home a bonus point.

Wasps FC Ladies started strong, their work in defence shining through and putting pressure on the visitors to secure a penalty in the first 10’ and put the first points on the board with a kick from Hannah Edwards.

Not letting this early lead get in their way, Harlequin’s fought back hard and made their mark on the pitch with a first try from their Flanker Shaunagh Brown. Despite resilience in defence from the host side, Harlequins Women went on to score a further 3 tries in the first half. With Wasps leaving left outnumbered on the outside, a final try from Harlequins no.11 left the score at 24-3 on the half time whistle.

With 4 tries conceded and none gained, Wasps had all to play for and prove in the second half. Having worked immensely hard over preseason, and having beaten Harlequins two weeks previously, they were not letting the game run away from them that easily.

Wasps first sting came from prop Kate Hallett in the 46th minute and with a beautiful conversion from Hannah Edwards, Wasps set out to close the gap. Wasps continued to put pressure on the visitors, forcing mistakes and giving them opportunity to put practice into play, scoring two further tries in the 53rd and 63rd minute from Abby Dow and Louise Dodds, who also made her debut appearance in black and gold today.

The final fifteen minutes of the game saw a fierce fight from both teams- with a tennis like succession of tries. The first from Harlequins player Holly Myers, after making an incredible intercept down the middle of the pitch. This was shortly followed by a second try from Wasps Winger Abby Dow in the 70th minute.

With Harlequins No.6 awarded a yellow card in the 76th minute leaving team a player down with 4 minutes to play- Wasps took the opportunity to capitalise. A Wasps line out on the 5m, won with a beautiful take from Alice Sheffield, resulted in a try in the final play for the host side. Kate Hallett took the ball over the line for the second time with Abby Dow converting leaving the final score at 32-38 to Harlequins Women.

We saw a game of two halves here today at Twyford Avenue and despite an epic performance in the second half, Wasps narrowly missed out on the win. However, with the first game of the season underway, everything is left to play for and the team are left raring and ready to take on Gloucester Hartpury next week.

Match Report by Holly Foskett