Wasps Ladies took both the Premiership 1 and 2 titles for the second year running recently, the first XV emerging victorious by 8-3 from a hard fought encounter with fellow title contenders, Clifton.

On a Twyford Avenue pitch which became a mud bath, the home team dominated much of the first half, with scrum half Amy Turner darting through a gap to score after 20 minutes. Before the break, however, Black Fern Hannah Myers secured a Clifton penalty making it 5-3 at half time.

Shelley Rae’s penalty after the break maintained Wasps’ five point lead but with Rae using the boot to pin the opposition back, Clifton were, nonetheless, camped for the final ten minutes in Wasps’ 22. Sucking in the Wasps midfield with some excellent runs by the centres and back row, Clifton opened up the space needed to equalise on several occasions but worsening conditions and a determined Wasps defence sealed their fate. RFUW President Gill Burns was on hand to present Wasps captain Rhian Williams with the League Shield after the match.

This was the second title for coaching duo Giselle Mather and Theresa O’Reilly. Said Head Coach Mather, “It’s a huge privilege to work with a group of such talented and committed athletes. The atmosphere at the club this year has been second to none. We have built this squad through a two-year coaching programme, and this second title is a reflection of their progress and achievement over that period. Our defence today won us the game, the forwards work rate was amazing and the backs worked hard to succeed despite the greasy ball.

“The players are still keen for the National Cup. We have the semi-final coming up and it’s a long time since Wasps had our hands on that silverware.”

Wasps Ladies second XV claimed the Premiership Two title for the second year in a row, Captain Brydie Canham accepting the League Shield from Gill Burns, after Blackheath had conceded Wasps 2XV final league fixture of the season earlier in the week.