A FINE performance by Kendal Wasps ladies' rugby team saw them pull off an excellent 19-12 win at York.

In a very close, evenly contested match, York opened the scoring on eight minutes with a converted try, followed six minutes later by a second try to take the score to 12-0.

An intense battle ensued as the Wasps regrouped and found momentum late in the second half.

They built the phases well then released Hayley Hodgson in the centre to finally break the York defence, with Tamar Benson adding the extras to make it 12-7 and bring Kendal right back into the game.

Another 10 minutes of deadlock was played out before Rowan Boardley breached the York defence just before the whistle to send the side in level at half time.

The second half saw some injuries which slowed the game down, but Wasps stayed focused.

Forced to defend in their own 22 for 25 minutes, Wasps finally worked into York’s half.

Playing more as a team, the collective effort earned Wasps valuable territory into the opposition 22 and they swung the play right then left and stretched the York defence to allow flanker Kate Birchall to score under the posts.

Once again, Benson added the conversion to give Kendal the lead.

With only a few minutes remaining, it was a supreme last effort to hold on as York attacked one last time, only to knock the ball on at the death after good pressure by Wasps, and victory was secured.

On Sunday, Wasps host Novos Ladies RFC with a 2pm ko and free entry.