Wasps Women secured their first victory of 2022 against DMP Durham Sharks with an eight try showstopper and huge defensive performance to deny Sharks of any points.
It was a game of two halves. The first 40 saw a well executed attacking play from Wasps to score seven of their eight tries including a hat trick from Maud Muir. The second half saw Wasps pin Sharks into their half, denying them of any territory and securing their eighth try.
It was Muir who opened the show with a try scored from a driving maul. Muir went onto score two further tries in the first half – the first assisted by Claire Molloy, driving through the middle of Shark’s defence. Rowena Burnfield set Muir away with her hat trick putting her through a gap to shoot over the line.
Molloy also found herself with ball in hand over the touch line in the second of Wasps three tries scored from a driving maul. Millar Mills also came through with the goods on her return from injury running a try in from the 22m after Rosie Wright made a break through the gainline.
The final tries of the first half came from Jess Cooksey and Abby Dow. Dow’s try bringing her total tries in a Wasps shirt to 60 and total points tipping over 300.
Flo Williams also crossed a major milestone, slotting three conversions to take her total Premier 15s conversion count to 50!
The second half, although quieter on the scoreboard, spoke loud in defence. Sharks found themselves in shallow water, suffocated by Wasps’ defence. Wasps denied Sharks of any territory and pinning them back in their own half.
It was Kay Searcy who scored the second half try, her first in a Wasps shirt and one of three tries from Wasps’ driving maul.
A great day up North for the Swarm with some major milestones achieved across the board and a great step up from last week’s draw. Next week see’s a break in fixtures but Wasps will return to Twyford Avenue in a fortnight to face Bristol Bears!
With thanks to Wasps
