Wasps FC Men’s section got the 2026/27 season underway with a 41–31 victory over local rivals Actonians RFC at Twyford Avenue.

Played across four 20-minute quarters, the club-wide fixture gave players from across the Men’s section valuable game time and a first opportunity to put the summer’s pre-season work into practice.

Wasps came flying out of the blocks and dominated the opening quarter. Some impressive attacking patterns were already beginning to show, with Vincent Tickell crossing twice as the hosts moved the ball well and repeatedly found space in the Actonians defence.

Patrick Doyle added another Wasps try to end the first quarter, but Actonians increasingly grew into the contest. With both sides blowing off the inevitable cobwebs of a first game of the season, the visitors enjoyed their strongest spell through the second and third quarters and kept the local derby firmly in the balance.

Wasps responded well, with Bobby Babbs marking his debut in black and gold with a try as the home side began to regain momentum.

The final quarter then saw Wasps pull away. Anthony Barallon also celebrated his Wasps debut with a try, before Callum Hodgson crossed and Desmond Geotrah rounded off the scoring late on to secure the 41–31 victory.

There was another particularly positive milestone in the Wasps side, with Charlie Grainger making his Men’s debut after progressing through the Youth and Colts sections at the club. Grainger produced an excellent performance to cap the occasion and was deservedly named Man of the Match, a great example of the pathway from Wasps' age-grade rugby into the senior Men’s section.

For a first outing of the season, there was plenty to be encouraged by: seven tries, some excellent passages of attacking rugby, a number of debuts and valuable minutes across the wider squad, alongside plenty to sharpen up before the competitive campaign begins.

A strong crowd from both clubs also created a great local derby atmosphere at Twyford Avenue throughout the afternoon.

Wasps try scorers: Vincent Tickell (2), Patrick Doyle, Bobby Babbs, Anthony Barallon, Callum Hodgson and Desmond Geotrah.
Man of the Match: Charlie Grainger

Seven tries. Eight Men’s debuts. A home derby win. Plenty to build on.