Wasps truimph in tough conditions

Talk about sweeping away the cobwebs! A strong Wasps team with only a couple of players missing due to Middlesex duty brushed aside the slippery conditions to run out good winners against a determined Old Ruts team.

The weather was certainly not on the side of running rugby and so the game plan of keeping the pods engaged close to the breakdown meant that the forwards were kept very busy. An extremely strong scrummaging performance in the first 20 minutes by the awesome Wasps forwards, combined with the abhorrent conditions, meant that the game went to uncontested scrums. This certainly benefited the visitors who took heart and had a strong finish to the first half and a strong start for the second half.

The score by Ruts to bring them to 15-8 and within touching distance was the catalyst for Wasps to find their feet again and Ruts didn't score again.

The first half started with a strong solo score by David Bull, and, in total contrast later on George D finished off a great forward rumble. One conversion and a penalty from David was matched by a penalty from Ruts, whose excellent full-back manfully kept them in the game.

The first half finished 15-3 and the early Ruts score in the second half forced the Wasps to start buzzing. Another David Bull score running the length of the pitch followed by a bullocking run and score by Matthew Delargy meant that Wasps were now clear. Near the end a fantastic piece of skill by Chris Bell resulted in his try, converted by David Bull.

The team was delighted to welcome back Chris B and Jae Kim. Both made great returns to the squad. The back line started to really click for the first time this season and the pack were always on top. Everybody played their part in a good performance that bodes well for the final part of the season.

Tries: Bull (2), Delargy, George D, Bell
Conversions: Bull (2)
Penalties: Bull (1)

Man of the match: Zico Al Ghabban, for playing the pick and drive game perfectly,