Sharks welcomed Wasps to The Northern Echo Arena on a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon. A busy morning of mini and junior activity at the arena led to a fantastic crowd of supporters for all areas of the Club.
Sharks took to the pitch with a steely determination and made their intentions clear when No.8 Zoe Alcroft burst through the Wasps defence to open the scoring just 10 minutes into the game. Wasps responded quickly with an opportunistic interception close to the Sharks 22m line, an easy run in for Wasps fly half Hannah Edwards. Both scores were converted making it 7 all after just 12 minutes of play.
Not to be outdone by the Sharks forwards, the backs sharply opened their account when winger Rebekah Wilson was unleashed by some slick handling to run in untouched in front of a roaring Sharks support taking the lead 14 – 7.
The following 10 minutes saw both teams trade blows in a combination of fierce defence and open flowing rugby. Sharks benefitted from supreme service of scrum half La Toya Mason and a solid platform at the scrum and lineout led by Tamara Taylor.
It was a Sharks attacking scrum in the opponent’s 22m that led to the next score. Quick ball gave Zoe Aldcroft the time and space to pick up from the base and drive some 15 metres to score Sharks 3rd try of the half. Sam Jamieson added the extras to make it 21-7 to Sharks.
The second quarter of the game saw a bout of indiscipline from both sides resulting in a successful Sharks penalty on 30 minutes and an unsuccessful penalty attempt from Wasps on the stroke of half time.
Half time score Sharks 24 – 7 Wasps
In almost a mirror image of the first half, Sharks came out firing and again in was Zoe Aldcroft who opened the scoring this time just 6 minutes into the half! And again Wasps responded quickly with a try of their own through scrum half Sammy Wong. Both tries converted, the scores settled at 31-14 with just 12 minutes of the half gone.
The next 10 minutes saw a rise in intensity and relentless defence from Sharks as they held out several excellent attacks from Wasps.
Composure and consistency were the themes of the Sharks play as they maintained patience and soaked up repeated threats. Outside Centre Kat Hobson played a vital role in both attack and defence throughout the game and her commitment was epitomised by a try saving tackle in the mid field which swung the balance of the half for Sharks. Soon after, Rebekah Wilson was released out wide and brushed off several attempted tackles from Wasps to line up a simple conversion for Sam Jamieson.
Wasps responded with an unconverted try when second row Alex Powell capitalised on a Sharks error close to their try line.
However, Sharks were not prepared to let Wasps have the last say and topping off an excellent performance, Zoe Aldcroft made a surging run through the heart of the Wasps defence and scoring out wide on 74 minutes. The try was not converted leaving the score at 43-19 to Sharks.
Full time score Sharks 43 – 19 Wasps
DMP Sharks extended a huge thanks to their supporters who were without doubt the 16th player.
Sharks next home game will be played at Kingston Park on Saturday 8th October v Bristol (KO 11:45am) ahead of Newcastle Falcons v Bristol KO 3pm).
Match Day sponsorship is available, for more information please contact sharksloverugby@hotmail.com
Lead photo shows Sharks Captain Georgina Roberts on the charge.
Report courtesy of DMP Sharks
