Wasps Men recorded their first win of the new season with a hard fought bonus point win away at Hendon.

Report by Captain Sam Williams

Three tries from the forwards rewarded dominant carries and patient play. An exciting backline, including two debutants, capitalised on the momentum with aggressive centre plays, and speed and footwork from the back three to take full points available away from home.

On the back of two losses, the first a "should have won" at Royston, followed by a "could have won" against an energetic Ealing side, Wasps were determined to put in an 80 minute performance and get a first win of the season. A tough task away to Hendon, but one the squad got done and can be proud of going forwards for the rest of the season.

Decision making and poor execution was the downfall in the first two games, but there had been plenty of positives and it felt like a strong performance was building. Hendon were playing their first match of the new season, so had a point to prove and wanted to kickstart the season well.

Before kick off, the teams paid their respects to Wasps player Kaelan Paul, who sadly passed recently, with a minutes silence. Many of those in the starting XV played with him at a youth and colts level, and he will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.

Playing with the wind behind them, Wasps aimed to start quickly and did just that with openside flanker Florent Dymala scoring after two minutes, following composed forward carries in the Hendon 22. Conversion missed to give Wasps a 0-5 lead after five minutes, what a start!

Returning "utility forward" (in reality loosehead prop) Paddy Doyle powered over for the second try on the 20 minute mark after controlling possession and pinning Hendon in their own half for large periods. The first of two tries on the day for Paddy, who was one of the stand out performers on a day where the team and patterns really started to come together. Conversion scored, score 0-12 to Wasps after 20 minutes

After a number of penalties in the first 20, Hendon began to find their patterns and test the Wasps defence with big ball carriers. The game became an arm wrestle until one Wasps missed tackle and some great running by a Hendon forward resulted in Hendon’s first try of the game. Conversion good, the score on 36 minutes was 7-12 and stayed the same until half time

Wasps had been guilty of poor decision making or losing composure for periods in the previous two matches, particularly in the second half, and were determined not to let it happen again. Fly half Matty Atherton continued to deploy the forwards to get front foot ball and march up the field, as well as utilising a frankly-scary centre pairing of Evann Mayre and Max Rust. Aggressive carrying and delicate footwork kept defences honest, and created space for an agile back three to run. A special mention to 18-year-old Oden Delargy on his debut for the first team for his electric runs and his mature positioning around the field.

Employing an "if it ain’t broke don’t fix it mentality", Wasps went back to their strengths when they reached the Hendon 22 in the 49th minute - big forward pods taking the ball at speed, which resulted in Paddy’s second try of the day. Conversion missed, 7-17 to Wasps after 50 minutes.

The Wasps scrum was solid all day and the line out was a well-oiled machine, but Hendon had the wind and some sloppy decisions allowed them to make their way down the field and play in the Wasps half. A second try was scored after 59 minutes for Hendon to make the score 12-17 after a missed conversion.

The game was much more open and balanced as it entered the last quarter, with play seesawing between the Wasps and Hendon half and both defences holding strong. Some exceptional defensive play from Wasps lead to the next try - dominant tackles led to a loose ball near the wing, with centre Evann scooping it up before charging to the try line for a first try on debut. Clearly not a good day for kicking, conversion missed. 12-22 to Wasps FC.

With a first victory in sight, nerves were high as Hendon started to throw everything at the Wasps try line. An attempted last ditch tackle by fullback Sam Williams was deemed a deliberate knock on and the captain was sent to the bin for the last 10 minutes to make the ending even more dramatic. Hendon capitalised on the man in the bin 3 minutes later, 17 - 22 to Wasps with 5 minutes to go.

The last 5 minutes were spent in the Hendon half, keeping it tight with lineouts and pod work to run time down. Hendon had one final attempt to attack from their own 22, but a knock on finally brought the game to an end, with Wasps relieved to see the game out and to take full points away from home to Hendon!

On a day where so many individuals stood out, it really was a mature team performance that got Wasps their first victory and saw the game out. Man of the match went to sensational centre Max Rust who ran exceptionally with ball in hand and made some vital defensive plays, but special mention needs to be made to Paddy, Jim Hynes and Henry Beckley in the forwards, as well as Oden and Charlie Lawlor in the backs, who all put their hand up for the honours.

Next up Wasps host London Scottish at home, but the team will go into the game knowing if they play smart and to their strengths, there isn’t a team in this new league that they can’t beat!

Once a Wasp!