Determined Owls Lose Out to Wasps

Despite playing in the league above the home team, Wymondham struggled in the opening minutes to find a way through the Harwich defence and were put under some great pressure from the Owls attack. Strong runs from Abi Cutts, Sarah Hanser and Kimberley Hutchins really challenged the visitors but failed to make the early breakthrough needed. After 15 minutes of play the Wasps’ started to get a hold of the game with their speedy backs combining well with strong running forwards to set quick phases that the Owls failed to deal with effectively, allowing the visitors to score two quick tries in succession.

The home team regrouped and again took the game to Wymondham. A good run from Hutchins took the Owls deep into Wasps 22 but at the ensuing ruck, she was yellow carded for retaliating against some foul play. Down a key player for the last 10 minutes of the half, the Owls lost their shape and structure and the visitors ran in three more tries.

Unfortunately, any hope the home supporters of a miraculous comeback were quickly dashed when the Wasps scored again from the starting kick off for the second half. To their credit, the home team showed great determination to score and strong running from Naomi Dobner, Hutchins and Cutts kept the visitors in their own half. From a scrum on her own 10 metre line, the Wasps’ dangerous number 8 made a great break up the blind side wing only to be smashed in a tackle by Yas Amber. However after a couple of further breakdowns the visitors scored again.

Despite the score and being outclassed in many facets of the game, the Owls didn’t give up and some excellent rucking and mauling finally saw them crossing the visitors’ try line only for the ball to be held up. Some excellent cover tackles by Amber, Maisie Green and Annalise Allan kept the Wasps’ attack out until the last play of the game saw a penalty try awarded to Wymondham for a high tackle.

Hopefully Harwich will have learned some valuable lessons from such an experienced side.

Report By Walter Blacker