Ex-Bear Molloy inspires five-star Wasps
CLAIRE Molloy went over twice as five-try Wasps got their campaign off to a handsome start with an impressive comeback victory at Bristol Bears Women.
Molloy burrowed over the line twice in the closing stages of the second period to put the gloss on a fine opening-day success for Wasps.
After the sides exchanged blows in the opening moments, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 13th minute, attacking the blindside from the back of a scrum and Abby Dow finished well in the corner.
Bristol responded immediately, as Lucy Attwood cut a superb line off her centre partner Amber Reed to give the Bears their first try of a new campaign.
Wasps hit back through powerful back-rower Liz Crake who did well to finish from 30 metres out before the visitors stretched their lead to ten points via the boot of Lizzie Goulden.
The Bears bagged a try just before half-time break, exploiting an overlap on the right hand side for Poppy Leitch to cross the whitewash.
Sarah Bern then gave Bristol the lead in the 46th minute as she bulldozed her way through the Wasps defence to score on her first outing after returning to Bears.
However, Wasps then moved up a gear as they broke from inside their own half and Tova Derk raced away from the home defence to finish.
Giselle Mathers’ side kicked on from there and killed off any chance of a Bears comeback as former Bristol player Molloy twice used her power to crash over in the final 15 minutes to secure the win.