Bonus win for Wasps puts heat on leaders
WASPS took another step closer to making the Premier 15s a three-way title race with a convincing victory over Worcester Warriors.
The hosts fired on all cylinders in their first game back in action since December 19, with Sevens convert Celia Quansah and England star Abby Dow scoring the pick of the tries in the bonus-point win for Giselle Mather’s side.
However it was Worcester who took the lead with a penalty from Sarah Nicholas on ten minutes.
The Warriors should have gone further ahead when centre Jade Shekells intercepted a pass inside the Wasps’ half but her offload to Vicky Laflin resulted in a turnover thanks to some fine work by Elizabeth Crake and Maud Muir.
That missed chance was one that Worcester would live to regret as Wasps closed the first half with two tries to take the lead.
The first stemmed from a third consecutive lineout Wasps had won in good territory, from which Crake was bundled over out wide.
The forwards again provided the platform for fellow prop Muir to double Wasps’ tally.
Muir scored straight from the restart of the second period, bulldozing her way over for Meg Jones to add the extras.
The dominance of the Wasps pack opened up the game and speedsters Quansah and Dow capitalised.
Quick hands from the backline unleashed Quansah down the touchline for her first score before Dow crossed over on the hour having broken clear in open field and evading the clutches of Heather Fisher.
At 35-3, Worcester continued to push for their first try but lacked a clinical touch on their visits to the Wasps 22.
And that gave way for
Sarah Mitchelson to score try No.6 in the corner for Wasps who are now just two points behind Harlequins in the table.
Wasps centre Wilson Hardy said: “We managed to break down a really strong defence so I’m proud of everyone today.”