A bright sunny afternoon, although with a cool breeze, and a sombre start with a minute silence to remember young footballer Poppy Atkinson, after the tragic incident at the club a few weeks ago.

It had been a month since the Wasps last game, when they had pushed League leaders Blaydon all the way, in a close game. Sarah Wilkinson and Tamar Benson who missed that game returned but the Wasps were without other players.

The two teams had drawn at Manchester earlier in the seasons, and had similar playing records, both sitting in mid-table, so a close contest was expected.

Manchester started well with some good handling but it was the Wasps who got the opening score.

Manchester were on the attack in mid-field, but the ball was lost. Amber Byers made ground before passing to Hannah Metcalfe and she found wing India Brennan in space. She still had plenty to do but broke a tackle to go over for the opening try. Tamar Benson’s conversion from a difficult angle was not too far out. 5v0.

The lead was quickly extended. Good work down the right of the pitch set up a good position, before Suzie Winter broke away to power over from the twenty-two for the try, which Tamar Benson converted. 12v0

The third try was added almost immediately. The re-start ball was moved to centre Hayley Hodgson, on the left wing. The defending Manchester player was clearly in two minds, and the hesitation saw Hodgson power away for the try. Again the difficult conversion was not too far out. 17v0.

Manchester came back into the game, and were handing well, keeping the ball despite the normal Wasps strong tackles, with scrum half Emma Lipshitz pulling off a string of important tackles.

Manchester opened their scoring with a try from short range after twenty minutes. 17v5

A second Manchester try followed ten minutes later. The Wasps had several chances to clear but having turned over ball, Manchester players were quickly in to steal it back. A gap finally opened in the Wasps defence for a Manchester centre to go through with the difficult conversion then added. 17v12.

There was no further scoring before half time.

The Wasps extended their lead early in the second half with a fourth try. Following a scrum there was a strong run from one of the Wasps replacements, the ball then went through several pairs of hands for the try finished by Hayley Hodgson. 22v12

A fifth try was quickly added, this time finished by Emma Lipshitz following more good interchange of passes. Tamar Benson added the conversion. 29v12.

Manchester pulled a try back. There was a long break down the right wing but Sarah Wilkinson, who had joined the back row after starting on the wing, got across for a try saving tackle, but the ball was quickly recycled for the try. 29v17.

The next Wasps try came with Hannah Metcalfe power over from short range. 34v17

Hayley Hodgson then got her third. Now playing on the right wing, with Claire Geldard coming on in the centre, it looked as if a chance of a score had gone, when the ball seemed to go loose, but Hodgson tidied up to go over for the try. 39v17.

The next try came from a good run by Hayley Hodgson down the right taken on by Claire Geldard, and when the ball came out, Allysia Hind who had started in the back row, but returned in the backs, dummied a pass, but instead sailed through for a try converted by Tamar Benson. 46v17.

Manchester pulled another try back following a run down the right wing 46v22.

It as however the Wasps who had the last word with Lorne Mellonie going over for the final try, converted by Tamar Benson. 51v24.

A really entertaining afternoon, and despite the scoreline Manchester, played well, but came up against a Wasps team putting in their best performance of the season.

The Wasps finish their season with trips to Liverpool St Helens and the re-arranged game at Driffield.

Forward of Match : Hannah Metcalfe
Back of Match : Hayley Hodgson
Opposition Choice : Tamar Benson

The raffle raised £1,800 for the Poppy Atkinson fund.

ACTION

TEAMS