Hove v Wasps Ladies II (A)

You would've thought that a month off of competitive rugby due to International break and lack of opponents in the cup would have left Hove a little lacking on Sunday especially against a team that has multiple squads of players available for competitive training sessions.

However this was not the case and Hove showed their intention from the off. Wasps had the KO but didn't make the distance, from the resulting scrum Hove went on the attack down the right wing. Quick ruck, good hands, sweet pop from Orfy to Blondes. A savage 'sit down' hand off from Becky. Ball back to Blondes who got wrapped up and bundled into touch.

Wasps scrambled from the line out and ex-Hove girl Salad kicked to clear, Polly tracked the ball well to catch and attack with venom. Hove continued trying to break through but Wasps eventually gained control of the ball and kicked to touch.
At 8 mins in, Wasps secure the ball again and attempt to kick to touch. Becky managed to chase the kick down, block and catch the ball with random body parts in order to secure the first score of the game, Temps converted.

More good attacking play from Hove after the restart, Wasps did well to cancel out many an attack. However Hannah made an awesome break through the centre, quick ruck ball. Lots of resulting pressure from a strong Hove pack. At 15mins Blondes smashes through to score. Temps converts.

Wasps came back with a vengeance from this and came extremely close to scoring a few times, however the Hove defence was resilient, Hannah managed to get involved and disrupt their attack and begin another Hove strike back. Mel caught the frustration of the Wasps players by being on the end of a fairly dodgy tackle, fortunately she was only winded by the encounter.
At 45mins into the first half Molly made a break and Juliette scored under the posts, Temps dutifully converted.
Half-time score Wasps 0 - 21 Hove.

Wasps received the second half KO and whatever was said at half-time had definitely stirred something in them, they were determined and playing much better than in the first half of the match. They placed Hove under a lot of pressure through out the half and did well in defence to counteract the Hove attacks. At 53mins Hove were awarded a penalty which Temps scored.

5mins later Hove made a change in the front row bringing Cally on for Simmo.

67mins Wasps charged down a Hove defensive kick to score but couldn't make the conversion.
Hove seemed to accept the try and rally around to place a fight back and at 75 mins after a period of high pressure Cally looked like she may be through but gave a beautifully timed and weighted pass to Orfy, who wasn't going to be stopped.

Substitutions: Sam and Mel off, Sian and Kim on.
79mins another sub: Becky off, Carys on.

With another try needed to secure the bonus point it was looking like all Hove's efforts were going to fall flat and with time running out Polly went on a determined but slightly demented run, stepping in and out and leaving all sorts of Wasps players for dead.
Final score: 5-38