Worcester Valkyries vs Wasps Ladies

REPORT | BY ART DE ROCHE

 

A frustrating encounter saw Worcester Valkyries defeated 51-5 by Wasps Ladies in Round 8 of Tyrrells Premier 15s at Sixways on Saturday.

Coming up against one of the form sides in the league, Valkyries were unable to stop Wasps from stretching their winning run to four games.

Winger Amy Atkinson scored four of the visitors’ nine tries with Kate Hallett, Rochelle Clark, Rachel Parry and Abigail Dow (2) also getting on the scoresheet.

It wasn’t all gloom though for the Valkyries who were able to push into the Wasps half numerous times, with one of those visits leading to a try from Nat English in the first-half.

Five minutes into the game, after a flurry of midfield scrums to get the forwards’ blood pumping, the visitors drew first blood having managed to steal possession before shipping out to the backs who moved the ball to Atkinson who flew down the left wing to open the scoring.

Shortly after, two quickfire tries gave Atkinson her hat-trick with both tries resulting from lineouts. Louise Dodd converted one of the two to make it 17-0

Valkyries wouldn’t back down though, as straight from the restart the hosts looked to progress up the pitch. Unfortunately this charge into the Wasps half would come to a premature end after a knock on.

Unfortunately, in the midst of covering the tryline from the resulting attack, Valkyries winger Nikita Frere collided with an opposition player which caused a lengthy stoppage in play before she was stretchered off.

Despite Worcester coming out of the stoppage looking inspired it was Wasps who got the next score as they went through a number of phases before front row Hallett touched down to take their tally to 22.

Continuing in their inspired manner though, the hosts were able to get a try for themselves on the half-hour mark through English who finished off the forwards’ work after the backs gave Wasps the runaround.

The try seemed to give Worcester more confidence, but in the dying moments of the first-half ex-Valkyrie Clark crossed after a scrum deep in the home 22, making the half-time score 27-5.

The second-half would then start at an electric pace. Both sides got hold of the ball but Valkyries looked the more dominant, driving forward through breaks from fly-half Zoe Bennion and winning penalties to advance further up field.

This dominance wouldn’t last though as 15 minutes into the half Wasps’ Parry exploited the space after a scrum to touch down in the corner and Dow then bagged a brace including a 60-metre run for the one score.

The home side were able to set up camp deep in the Wasps’ half for long periods but the visitors got a final score for Atkinson to complete a comfortable win.

Valkyries’ next fixture sees a trip to Firwood Waterloo Ladies on Saturday 2 December (kick-off 5.30pm).