Bears stung late on as Wasps sneak win
Bristol Bears .......... 10pts Wasps FC ................ 18pts
WASPS Ladies came out on top in a fiery encounter with Bristol Bears in round four of the Tyrrells Premier 15s at Shaftesbury Park, with their defence holding firm to complete an impressive victory.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty inside the Wasps 22 with no more than two minutes gone on the clock, which Elinor Snowsill happily sent through the uprights to give Bristol a 3-0 lead.
The frantic opening exchanges continued as Wasps hit back with a score of their own as Hannah West touched down off the back of a driving maul.
The topsy-turvy nature of the first half continued as the balance of power then swung in the way of the hosts.
Lucy Burgess’ sniping run from the base of the ruck took the Bears within five, but as she looked inside to find support in Clara Nielson the ball went forward mere metres from the line.
With five minutes to go in the half the host thought they had their breakthrough as slick handling set Lauren Smyth away down the wing looking set to score.
However, Tova Derk had other ideas as she made a fine cover tackle to put Smyth in touch with the tryline beckoning.
However, the hosts got their breakthrough in the final play of the half - with Wasps reduced to 14 - the pack delivered at scrumtime only five metres out and drove Wasps backwards to force a penalty-try and take a 10-5 lead into the sheds.
At the start of the second period, Wasps cut the deficit to just two points when Rebecca Edwards dispatched a three-pointers in front of the posts.
Replacement Lizzie Goulden then slotted a penalty goal to put the visitors in the lead by just a single point, 10-11.
With ten minute left on the clock Wasps stretched their lead forcing a turnover before Claudia MacDonald picking a gap in the defence to squeeze through and race away. Goulden added the extras.
The Bears tried to get back into the contest but thwey were met by a fierce Wasps defence and they were ultimately beaten by a side who were measured in everything they did in the closing stages.
Wasps now host a Loughborough Lightning side that has just scored more than 90 points, while Bristol face a daunting trip to high-flying Harlequins on Saturday afternoon.
Kim Oliver said: “We let ourselves down.
“We didn’t execute the way we have done over the last three weeks and that was the difference today.
“Wasps defended really well and credit to them but we weren’t clinical enough when not mattered.”