HARLEQUINS RECORDED A BONUS POINT WIN OVER RIVALS WASPS LADIES AFTER SCORING SIX TRIES IN AN IMPRESSIVE 32-38 VICTORY.

Wasps opened the scoring with a tenth minute penalty but the remainder of the first half was all Quins. Tries to Shaunagh Brown, Jess Breach, Holly Myers and Heather Cowell gave the visitors a try bonus point and a commanding 3-24 lead at the break.

In the second spell Wasps fought back valiantly with five tries of their own, but Myers and Breach both scored late as Harlequins held on to win 32-38.

Earlier, Harlequins Ladies arrived at Twyford Avenue to face Wasps Ladies on the opening day of the newly former Tyrrells Premier 15s competition.

The visitors were under pressure early from the experienced Acton outfit and only a turnover on their own line kept the scores level in the opening minutes.

Wasps centre Hannah Edwards gave her side a 3-0 advantage with ten minutes played but the Quins pack worked hard to get their side back into the encounter.

The outstanding Shaunagh Brown carried hard throughout and was rewarded with a try from the back of the maul in the 15th minute. Jess Wooden converted to make it 3-7

A few minutes later they extended their lead when England international Leanne Riley kick started a counter attack that saw Jess Breach go over in the corner.

The visitors backline were causing problems when they had time and space but it was the forward pack that earned them their third score in the 35th minute. A big scrum on the opposition five metre line won them a penalty and a quintessentially-Quins quick tap led to Holly Myers ghosting in under the posts.

Before the half was up Heather Cowell crossed for the bonus point try, after being on defence in their own 22 just two phases earlier, helping Harlequins to a 3-24 lead at the break.

As the second half began it felt like an entirely new Wasps outfit and they quickly got back into the encounter led by powerful prop Katherine Hallet. The replacement front rower scored first from the driving maul before Abigail Dow charged down a kick to close the gap to 15-24.

It was a swarm of Wasps attack as they dominated territory and possession and on the hour mark they were rewarded again as Louise Dodd sliced through from a lovely set play, but the conversion from in front of the stick drifted wide.

The momentum was all with Wasps but Holly Myers snagged an intercept try to give Harlequins some breathing room before Dow crossed for her brace with just seven minutes left to play.

The scoreboard read 25-31 but there was more action to come as Jess Breach scored again for Harlequins after beating her opposite number for pace on the outside.

Finally as the clock wound down Hallett completed her brace, and the conversion helped the home side to a deserved two bonus points in the thrilling 32-38 encounter.

Head Coaches Gary Street and Karen Findlay will be widely impressed with thier young side’s performance as they still wait for the return of a number of international stars who are still unavailable for selection post Rugby World Cup.

Next up for Harlequins Ladies is a home match at Surrey Sports Park against Firwood Waterloo next Saturday 23rd September (kick-off 15:00). The match is free to attend and more information can be found here.