Wasps FC Ladies secure victory in Final Round of Season against Firwood Waterloo
The postponed game against Firwood Waterloo, which marked the final round of the season, ended with a 0-34 win to Wasps FC Ladies. Firwood Waterloo certainly delivered in physicality, but Wasps’ resilience and determination earnt them 6 tries to secure the win. Amy Atkinson, Sammy Wong, Nicola Smith and Danielle Waterman with a hattrick, all made their way over the whitewash to put points on the board with Abby Dow’s boot delivering the extras.
The game got off to a quick start with Amy Atkinson putting points on the board in the corner just six minutes into the game. With the first points on the board, Wasps look to secure their position and put on the pressure. Hard work in defence from the likes of Kany Afilaka forcing errors from the opposition and set piece from the pack taking Wasps forwards in play.
Wasps laid down their second try in minute 23- a true display of determination from the squad. Held up twice on the line, first from a catch and drive, then from a scrum, the squad opted to pass out to the backs to find the hands of Danielle Waterman who ran it over to make it 0-10. Their next came off of the restart, after Liz Crake fought her way through the defence and carried play into Waterloo’s half. Kate Alder then found a hole and took play forward to the line. In the 5m zone, scrum half, Sammy Wong, took play into her own hands and stepped her way over the line under the posts.
From the restart, Waterloo turned up the heat in defence and forced a knock on from Wasps. However, rising to meet them Wasps took back possession. Another knock on gave Waterloo the scrum and time to play, but Wasps defence forced Waterloo to kick. Abby Dow received the ball which made its way to Louise Dodd then Danielle Waterman who ran it over the line for her second try concluding the half time score at 0-22.
From the restart, defence from the swarm forced a knock on from Waterloo and with this confidence they saw their 5th try of the game shortly after. A steal by Nora Bultruweit from Waterloo’s line out earnt Wasps possession in Waterloo’s 22. Playing through the phases, Wasps took the ball to the line and it was up to the forwards and Nicola Smith to seal the deal bringing the score to 0-29.
The next 15 saw a physical battle between the two sides, both showing great depth and persistence in defence. Firwood Waterloo laid down the pressure on Wasps, meeting them at the game line and forcing errors. Yet in set piece, Wasps proved dominant, walking over their opponents scrums to earn the right to play.
In minute 57, Danielle Waterman made it a hattrick. Wasps’ pack took possession of the ball from Waterloo’s scrum, and finding the hands of Danielle Waterman she danced her way through Waterloo’s defence and over the line.
With 20 minutes left of the game and eager not to let the second half conclude like the first, Waterloo again turned up the pressure. Great work in defence forced handling errors from Wasps and earnt them time in attack. Their forwards managed to break the game line but despite this, Wasps denied Waterloo of any points, the final whistle blowing with a 0-34 score to Wasps.
“Great to finish the season with a bonus point win to have a secure third place finish. Great to have three new Tyrrell’s premiership debuts today- testament to their hard work this season. The squad is energised and excited to be part of the first Tyrrells Premier 15s play off where we are hoping to produce some fast flowing entertaining rugby”
A huge team today and a strong team to play in preparation for playoffs against Harlequins. A special mention to our 1XV debuts today, Amy Wigley, Danielle Harrison and Dierdre Roberts- looking forward to seeing more of them as the game progresses.
Report courtesy of Wasps FC
