LADIES RUGBY: Injury-hit Wasps battle well but lose to Carlisle

The Ladies, who played their final home game of the season, were without a number of key players due to injury. However, despite the team’s problems, they came away from the game heartened by their performance against a strong Carlisle team.

Carlisle opened the scoring after five minutes. Having survived pressure on their line, the Wasps were awarded a scrum, but the visitors stole the ball before crashing over the try line. The try, which was converted, saw Carlisle go 7-0 up.

The visitors continued to dominate while the Wasps struggled to get hold of the ball. However, despite all the pressure, Kendal held out and defended well.

Carlisle eventually scored their second try on 15 minutes after breaking away from the scrum before finishing near the posts to put the visitors 12-0 in front.

As the half went on the Wasps came more into the game and there were long periods when Carlisle were pinned in their own half.

While they were winning possession, the Kendal backline also tackled well with outside half Lauren Harkness particularly outstanding.

Tamar Benson also impressed and forced a number of errors from the visitors, who began to get frustrated.

Kendal scored their first try two minutes into the second half after Lauren Harkness intercepted a pass before running the full length of the field to score.

The Wasps, who missed the conversion, edged closer to Carlisle soon afterwards when Amy Orrow crashed over the try line.

Carlisle restored their advantage with Kendal 19-10 behind. However the Wasps continued to battle after Orrow went over for her second try following good work by Catherine Sewell and Lauren Harkness.

With five minutes left in the game, Carlisle secured the points after scoring in the corner following a good attack from the middle.

It was a good display, especially in the second half against a powerful team.

Kendal now travel to play Crewe and Nantwich on Sunday, March 17, in the team’s final game of the season.