They were pushed all the way by the Lionesses, whose defence was strong and handled well, but there was no nail-biting finish as the Lionesses scored a converted try with the last action of the game, to bring them within a score of the Wasps.

The Wasps started strongly and opened the scoring after seven minutes.

Scrum half Esme Webb took a penalty quickly and made ground before being stopped.

The ball was recycled and moved left across field to Sarah Wilkinson playing in the centre.

She had Sophie Postlethwaite outside her, but went for the line herself and brushed off tackles to score.

5v0

The Wasps continued to have the better of play, but could find no way through the Lionesses' defence.

They were not helped by frequently forwards not having support when they went to break the line with penalties were conceded, as the Lionesses were competing well at the breakdown.

The attacking threat from the backs division was not being used.

The Wasps also had periods defending Lionesses' attacks in their twenty-two.

The lead was finally doubled just before the half hour.

Good Wasps pressure near the line finally saw Esme Webb spotting a gap and going over from short range.

10v0

The referee had had to warn both teams about the number of penalties he was giving for high tackles and offences at the breakdown.

Late in the half with the Lionesses on the attack in the Wasps' twenty-two, when what from a distance appeared a solid Sarah Wilkinson tackle, dislodged the ball in a tackle and she kicked the ball through.

But the referee called her back for an illegal tackle, and yellow carded her.

Despite struggling in the scrum against the strong Wasps pack, the Lionesses chose to go for a scrum.

The Wasps drove well, but the Lionesses retained the ball and broke away to score.

The conversion came back off the post.

10v5 at half-time.

The Wasps extended their lead after ten minutes of the half.

Esme Webb took a penalty on the right of the field, and the ball was moved across field to the right.

Susie Winter did well to take a difficult pass and the ball was moved to the left wing, and finally given a chance Lauren Oates flew down the touchline for the try.

15v5

The Wasps appeared to have got on the wrong side of the referee with the penalty count going against them.

The Lionesses narrowed the lead again just before the half hour with a second try.

15v10

The Wasps finally made the game safe with five minutes to play.

Good work down the right was finished off with a powerful run by centre Lorne Mellonie, with Sophie Postlethwaite adding the conversion.

22v10

The Lionesses came back with a long period in the Kendal twenty-two, with some solid defence by the Wasps, but leading to a string of penalties, and finally Hannah Metcalfe was yellow carded.

The Wasps continued to try to repel the threat, but finally a try was scored and converted to give the Lionesses a bonus point.

22v17

Another good win for the Wasps.

The Cup match against Carlisle, postponed from last week, is now due to be played next weekend.

The next League game in three weeks, again at Mint Bridge, will be against League leaders Stockton Rockets.