Wasps v Bristol Bears
All eyes were on Abby Dow after her exploits in Lille last week. A clip of her two tries had already attracted a cool 37,000 views by Friday evening. Today her team scored ten at Twyford Avenue; she totalled none. Saving them up for the final?
Photo: Bruce Perkins
Wasps put on another dazzling display to delight the eye. They ran in those ten without once resorting to a driven maul. Instead, forwards and backs combined to create space at speed. Katie Mason, restored to the right wing, scored a hat-trick while her gifted captain Kate Alder completed a double, making the charge-down her speciality of the day.
A strong breeze blew across the ground straight off the Atlantic; after half-time storm cones were being hoisted, but the play continued at high pace. Wasps had three tries on the board in no time, the choicest coming from Harriet Millar-Mills’ dextrous off-load out of the back door to Claudia Macdonald an inch short of the line.
Wasps were running the ball from first phase as much as from turnovers, their speed of reaction and movement a challenge for any team. Bristol were far from cast down by these raids. They built another attack up the slope; when offered a penalty in front of the posts, they chose to tap and go. It worked a treat, Rownita Marston powering over after neat hands by Natalia John and Ellie Mulhearn. (20-7)
Straight after the water break, Claudia Macdonald produced another electric tap-and-go. She shredded the Bears’ defence to streak through to the line. Flo Williams gave a reverse pass to Dow who broke through to offer Mason her second try with an off-load. A sixth try followed when a Bears’ pass in attack caught the wind and was knocked on. This turned into a real team , forwards and backs moving the ball at pace. Skipper Alder was the beneficiary as she raced over the line.
Half-time 38-7
Marston, who had a fine all-round game at No 8, strode down the left flank to threaten the home line, but once more a handling error prevented a score. In stark contrast, Alder latched on to a mistimed chip to run in all alone.
Photo: Bruce Perkins
The moment the second water-break was over, Wasps were at it again. Macdonald made another majestic break and linked to Kildunne who was finding far more room to manoeuvre than she had all through the farce in Lille last week. She tapped down to bring up the half-century. Mason completed her hat-trick after delightful footwork and legerdemain by Kildunne on the right flank.
To their huge credit, the Bears mounted another assault to earn a second try, this time a debut score for Chelsea Jones, only recently on the field. Wasps insisted on having the last word, another long-distance try completed by Kildunne; Dow was left unemployed outside her.
This was a wonderful display of running rugby by the Black-and-Golds; it remains to be seen how far they can reproduce it against a cannier defence and meaner pack that is Quins. Giselle Mather won’t have been impressed by the two tries they leaked. Despite today’s display you could imagine her hoping against hope to see her absent 7s stars being able to return for the semi-final.
Bristol have been ravaged by injuries this season. Tom Lindsay gave a number of young hopefuls their chance today; they showed plenty of skill and determination, but the club will want to make a fresh start next season under new management, and quite possibly with new signings.
One sad note on an otherwise triumphant day for Wasps, a statement from the club revealed: the squad came out in true black and gold force today as they honour and remember former Wasp Rebecca “Dino” Reeves who sadly lost her battle against cancer last week. Dino made a great impact on the rugby and waspie family both on and off the pitch. A wonderful character, an infectious laugh and loved a good red wine whenever possible, she would be first at the bar with a glass in hand! Dino Played at Wasps for many seasons, with a highlight being captain of the second team. She will be gravely missed by many especially her wife and family.
Result: Wasps 62 Bristol Bears 12
Player of the Match: Claudia Macdonald
Teams
Wasps: Kildunne, Mason, Boatman, Alder, Dow, F. Williams, Macdonald, West, Moloney, Muir, Burnfield, Cooney, Crake, Kabeya, Millar-Mills
Bench: Ironton, Stock, Ransley, Monaghan, Mitchelson, Wong, Balogun, Caux
Bristol: Lovibond, Newman, Murray, Rowland, Martin, Skuse, Burgess, Phillips, Nielson, Mulhearn, Burns, John, Lockwood, Herring, Marston
Bench: Parsons, Pam, Evans, Barwick, Smyth, Settembri, C. Jones, Hesketh
The two market-leaders registered away wins, both completing clean sheets, but Sarries had to work hard against a stubborn Warriors outfit. The surprise came in the late kick-off, where Glos-Pury competed a double over the new force Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. That will leave them in good humour for the summer break. Lightning didn’t find it easy overcoming the other new recruits Sale, but they did enough to ensure a full five points. Still, Rhys Edwards won’t be happy to see them finishing a full eleven points behind Wasps. After thirteen rounds they were four points ahead of them, though admittedly Wasps had a game in hand. A very new recruit will be pleased though: Emma Wassall was declared Player of the Match on debut. And Lark Davies chalked up her 19th try of the season.
Results:
Exeter Chiefs 12 Gloucester-Hartpury 18
DMP Durham Sharks 0 Harlequins 67
Loughborough Lightning 26 Sale Sharks 12
Worcester Warriors 0 Saracens 27
Wasps 62 Bristol Bears 12
Wasps on the Rampage
Final Table P W L D B Pts
Saracens 18 15 2 1 16 79
Harlequins 18 14 3 1 15 73
Wasps 18 14 4 0 15 71
Loughborough 18 12 6 0 12 60
Glos-Pury 18 10 8 0 10 50
Exeter 18 10 8 0 10 50
Worcester 18 5 13 0 8 28
Bristol 18 4 14 0 6 22
Sale 18 4 14 0 6 22
DMPDS 18 1 17 0 1 5
Play-offs:
Saracens v Loughborough Lightning
Harlequins v Wasps
Officials:
DMP Durham Sharks v Harlequins
Referee: Nia Parsonage
ARs: Rebecca Rees and Adam Morrison
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester-Hartpury
Referee: Adam Wookey
ARs: Ellis Davies and Lloyd Davies
Loughborough Lightning v Sale Sharks
Referee: Katherine Ritchie
ARs: Andy Ashwell and Holly Wood
Wasps v Bristol Bears
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: James Pidding and Melanie Liley
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
Referee: Nick Wood
ARs: Clare Daniels and Callum Watson
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
