DMP made the long drive to the capital to play the ladies from Wasps RUFC on Sunday 27th of September 2015. It was perfect weather for running rugby with the sun out and a light wind blowing across the pitch.
Wasps got the game underway but a great take and run by Amy Needham got DMP deep into Wasps territory, Wasps defence looked well organised and was working well as they competed ferociously for possession.
Wasps secured a loose ball but a strong tackle by DMPs Lauren Roberts saw the ball spilled forward Zoe Aldcroft gathered and passed it out to England wing Ruth Laybourn who showed fantastic pace to round the defender but Wasps cover quickly came to close down the space a cleverly weighted kick from Laybourn allowed to use her pace chasing her own kick to gather and score over the line with three minutes gone score Wasps 0 DMP 5 Sam Jamieson stepped up and slotted the conversion to leave the score Wasps 0 DMP 7.
The DMP backs were playing with great confidence as they moved the ball freely continuing to apply early pressure, and on 11 minutes the pressure told when DMP worked the ball up the pitch, DMPs scrum half Fi Davidson sniped from the back of a ruck and dived over to score a fantastic try in the right hand corner conversion missed making the score Wasps 0 DMP 12.
As expected the Wasps ladies reacted to the early onslaught and came out fighting, they worked the ball forward, DMP competed but the pressure told as a penalty was awarded to Wasps; Tess Gardner duly converted making the score Wasps 3 DMP 12.
The game continued to ebb and flow with neither team giving an inch, but Wasps were growing in confidence as their forwards were coming more and more into the game.
A great kick by Wasps gave them with a line out on DMP’s 5 metre line, a great throw and catch saw the Wasps forwards drive towards the DMP line and over for a try on 30 minutes by Dal Dennison, (try not converted) leaving the score Wasps 10 DMP 12.
The Wasps ladies started to dominate and increased the pressure on the DMP line despite some fantastic defensive work the line was broken on 36 minutes as Wasps sniped from the back of a scrum down the blindside the ball was passed out to Wasps Tina Lee who scored in the corner not, converted to end a fantastic half of Rugby with the score Wasps 15 DMP 12.
DMP got the game underway and Wasps continued the second half as they ended the first, they piled on the pressure, the ball was worked well through the hands deep into DMP’s half and a strong Wasps driving maul saw Claire Purdy over the line (try not converted) taking the score to Wasps 20 DMP 12.
The DMP ladies reacted well and again started competing at the breakdown not allowing the Wasps ladies time to settle, the pressure told as a penalty was awarded to DMP, Sam Jamieson stepped up and converted reducing the deficit the score now Wasps 20 DMP 15.
This spurred on the DMP ladies as they took the game to Wasps, the backs were spreading the ball out wide quickly stretching the Wasps defence, some great work down the left wing by Ruth Laybourn saw her stopped just short of the line, but great support play from Captain Tamara Taylor saw her over for a try in the left hand corner (try not converted) to level the scores at 20-20.
Wasps reacted well to DMP’s score and with 4 minutes to go Wasps Marissa Lowe rounded three DMP defenders to score a try in the left hand corner, try converted once again giving Wasps the lead: Wasps 27 DMP 20.
The DMP girls showed great team spirit and determination with 3 minutes left they created enough space for Ruth Laybourn to again show a fantastic burst of pace coupled with great footwork to score out wide on the left hand side to bring the score to Wasps 27 DMP 25 with the conversion to come.
The referee indicated time was up; Sam Jamieson stepped up to take what was a very difficult kick from out wide, she made a great connection the ball sailed towards the post hit them and bounced just under the bar to leave the final score Wasps 27 DMP 25.
Report courtesy of Samantha Jamieson/DMP Sharks
