Waterman and Dow provide sting for Wasps

WASPS produced a terrific second-half display to run out winners over visiting Bristol .

It was a tensely-fought opening period full of attrition, with neither side managing to get on the scoresheet, but all that changed after the break.

Liz Crake made a monumental carry five minutes after the whistle before Rocky Clark did the honours and crossed the whitewash for the first converted try of the afternoon.

And one soon became two just minutes later after a lightning break from Abby Dow, who raced through a gap in the Bristol defence to make it 12-0.

The home side started to turn the screw and added a third on the hour mark through Anna Glyn Davies, who dotted down follow a huge drive from a lineout.

Hannah Edwards made no mistake with the conversion to add to the home side’s lead.

The visitors got themselves on the board through a penalty try, and the comeback was well and truly on after Poppy Leitch scored to reduce the deficit to 19-12.

But just as Bristol were threatening to take a share of the spoils, Danielle Waterman popped up to get her side’s fourth try of the afternoon to secure the bonus point.

Smart and slick build-up play by Dow saw the ball worked out to England’s Waterman, who displayed quick feet as she danced past a couple of weak challenges before scoring in the corner.

Despite the visitors pushing and probing for a way back into the game, the home side held out for a victory that their level of play deserved and they remain third in the table.