AN in form Carlisle Cougars side proved too strong for Kendal Ladies Wasps who went down to a 25-12 defeat in front of a good crowd at Mint Bridge.

Kendal went into the game second in the table with Carlisle a place below them but despite plenty of effort and endeavour by the home side, the visitors proved too strong.

The Wasps started well and scored the first try after Tamar Benson intercepted a loose pass before passing the ball to Fleur Stanton who crashed over the try line, Benson landing the difficult conversion.

But they found themselves defending in their own twenty two for most of the first half while the Cougars' pack had control in the scrum, making it difficult to get the ball.

The visitors eventually powered over for an unconverted try, and though Kendal fullback Rowan Boardley made a good tackle to prevent a further score, Carlisle eventually crossed again in first half injury time to edge ahead.

Kendal regained the lead early in the second half when Hayley Hodgson powered her way through for a try, but Carlisle battled back and dominated the remainder of half, bagging three more tries to seal victory as the home side faded in the later stages.