This was a game of four quarters, with Wasps managing to control the first and fourth quarters well, whilst Old Actonians dominated the middle section of a very competitive match. Both sides should be pleased with their performances as they provided spectators with a hard fought even contest, played in the best of spirits by one and all.

This in large part was down to an excellent refereeing performance, from an official, whose clarity of decision making, left no room for debate and insured that the players from both sides responded accordingly. All in all this was a ‘proper’ match with an intensity and honesty from all players and officials.

For a change Wasps started really positively and were on the attack from the off, creating several half chances and clean breaks but a combination of good defence and the odd knock-on, or misplaced pass kept the score at 0-0. However, something had to give and after ten minutes following a positive backs move George appeared on the opposite wing and was able to cut inside the last defender to score under the posts. Hodgie converted for a deserved 7-0 lead.

This was followed by a period of relentless Wasps pressure and excellent defence by Actonians, but after several near misses Dan crashed over to reward the Wasps side for their endeavours. The conversion was narrowly missed but 12-0 was probably a true reflection of the game to that point.

Actonians now regrouped and started to apply their game plan with close driving and short yardage gains, they drove the ball up field then placed an accurate cross field kick to score a deserved try. This was followed by an excellent conversion that stalled in the wind before dropping over the bar 12-7. A quick response from the kick-off saw Wasps with an attacking line-out, which after several short drives and recycling led to Greenie proving that taller men have difficulty in tackling those who live nearer to the ground. This was a well worked forwards effort and was deservedly converted with an excellent kick from Hodgie making it 17-7.

The final fifteen minutes of the half saw Actonians in control of the ball and hence the game and after a number of thwarted attacks, in which Wasps defended soundly, they finally scored their second try from close quarters. This was yet again converted with a kick that was a complete replica of their first attempt making the half time score 17-14.

Actonians started the second half with a full head of steam and used successive line-out balls to good effect and drove the ball in field on repeated occasions testing the Wasps defence to the full. With all hands to the pumps Wasps defence was excellent with numerous players making high quality tackles and two or three turnovers from Rory and Ralph enabled them to hold out. Wasps did not, however, manage to clear their line or the potential danger and Actonians finally breached their defence, with a driving maul, started from their excellent five man line-out to take a 19-17 lead with twenty five minutes to go.

At this stage the introduction of Griff suddenly saw him take two line-outs against the throw and Wasps were up and running again. Successive backs moves, good positional kicking from BJ at half backs saw Wasps take the game well into Actoninas territory and start to apply pressure of their own. This resulted in a penalty to Wasps which Hodgie placed neatly between the sticks to retake the lead 20-19.

Wasps were now seeing a lot more of the ball and consequently the nature of the game turned in their favour, Actonians started to be the side on the back foot giving away penalties and an outstanding kick from Hodgie extended the lead to 23-19.

It was still any-ones game but Wasps were now in the ascendancy and were playing with a degree of confidence, but above all else with the ball. A backs move only practised in the minutes before the game was executed like an old favourite and from inside their own half they were able to release Wolfie for an excellent try in the corner. Hodgie stepped up and converted magnificently from inches inside the touch-line and across the wind, to complete the scoring, making it a 30-19 win to Wasps.

For Wasps, an outstanding team effort saw them win a game that both sides gave their all for. Marc named BJ as man of the match but Rory, Tim and Greenie must have all been mentioned in dispatches. Defensive duties were carried out to the man and some top quality structured attacking play was produced when in possession of the ball.

Improvements from last week were:

· The placement of the ball at rucks, which greatly helped Tim release it to the backs and speeded the game up.

· The realignment of the backs was quicker and more decisive, which allowed the boys to get the ball to the wings regularly

· Whilst the lack of discussion and a focus on playing, certainly led to an improved performance.

Things to work on in the New Year involve consistency and continuity, but full units at training would open up all sorts of opportunities for practise and development of game situations. Our skill sets are good and we need to continue to develop them within an organised game plan structure that we are all familiar with.

Have a great Christmas and New Year and return refreshed for the adventures of 2012.