A strong defensive effort and an improved second half performance saw Wasps FC continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 36 - 16 bonus point win over Saracen Amateurs.

Report by Captain Sam Williams

The sun was shining at Twyford Avenue as hosts Wasps took to the field against Saracens Amateurs, looking to stay undefeated and in the battle for top spot in the league.

Wasps started with intent, using powerful forward carries to get over the gainline and down into the Saracens 22. Quick hands in the backline found space out wide and hooker Callum Kerr ran in for the first try and the perfect start after 5 minutes. Conversion missed from out wide

From the restart Saracens started to impose themselves on the game, and a pacey, arcing run found a defensive mismatch on the outside and put Saracens in for their first try. Conversion missed, 5-5

Penalties, faulty set pieces and experienced kicking from Sarries kept Wasps playing in the wrong part of the field for the next 15. Despite the pressure, the defence would not buckle and desperate scramble defence on the Wasps try line denied a second try for Sarries highlighting the commitment and structure across the Wasps line. The black and gold were able to wrestle momentum back close to half time and venture back into the Saracens 22.

Filling in on the right wing, scrum half Oscar Fowler-Marsh looked to be in for the second try in the corner, but an offload from fullback Matty Atherton was deemed forward. An aggressive carry down the centre of the park from blindside flanker Sits Sonkosi kept pressure on, but despite camping on the opposition 22 a second try wouldn’t come. After trading penalties, the score at half time was 8-8 after a tight first 40, with the home side down to 14 men after their fullback received a yellow just before the whistle.

Starting the second half with 14, the home side needed to pick up the energy and start on the right foot. They did just that, as physical flanker Ruaidhri Sharp rampaged through four or five Sarries at full speed from the kick off. The ball shifted across the back line before makeshift winger Oscar released a spectacular kick on the turn. The ball flew over the head of the Sarries fullback and rolled into touch at the opposition's 5 metre line, giving Wasps their first 50/22 of the season and a great attacking platform.

The lineout was clean, and three phases later centre Bojan skipped through the defensive line for his first try of the day. Conversion scored by Paul Buffry, 15-8 with Wasps putting points on the board just before being restored to 15 men.

Wasps were again put on the back foot through scrappy breakdowns and the Sarries set pieces, but they couldn’t pierce the defence and dominant tackles drove the opposition away from the Wasps try line. Saracens were forced to take a penalty and three points, 15-11

Wasps hit back and extended their lead again as bodies started to tire. With Fly Half Paul suffering from cramp, winger Sam Williams found himself at first receiver just inside the Saracens half. The Wasps captain exploited a small hole in the defensive to burst through the line, stepping out of one tackle and offloading to birthday boy Matty Atherton for Wasps’ third try of the day. Atherton converted his own try to take the score to 22-11

Confidence improved as the half progressed and Wasps went over again to secure the try bonus point. Having soaked up most of the Saracens attacks and pressure from set pieces, scrum half Axel Susini started to dictate play and use the powerful carries of forwards Elliot, Dougie, Henry and Cameron to create space for the Wasps back line. A looping pass from Bojan set Winger Ollie Tycer away on the left, before returning the ball for Bojan to jink to the line for his second try. Conversion by Matty, 29-11.

Saracens still wouldn’t lie down, scrapping for each ball and finally getting over the white wash again after breaking on the outside and a quick offload. Conversion missed, 29-16.

Any thoughts of a late comeback were quickly closed down as Wasps answered instantly and put the game safely out of reach.

Sarries knocked the ball on in contact from the restart, giving Wasps advantage in their 22. Now playing at outside centre, Sam Williams took the ball to the line and dropped it onto the foot. The ball bounced through the defending players legs and sat up nicely for Williams to pick up behind the defensive line and power to the try line for Wasps fifth and final try of the game. Matty Atherton slotted the conversion from outside wide to finish the game 36 - 16 to Wasps.

Wasps showed grit and determination to wrestle back momentum and a deserved win from a strong and scrappy Saracens side. With the game in the balance at half time and a man in the sin bin, the team picked up the performance in the second half with determined defence and slick hands out wide to keep them in the hunt for top spot in the Herts/Middlesex 1 division.

A true team performance that required patience and resilience highlighted how Wasps have remained undefeated so far this season. The strength Wasps have across the park this season was shown by dominant carries by the forward pack, and complemented by the attacking intent and ability to probe the outsides in the back line. The biggest positive to come from the performance though was the organisation shown in defence and the composure when Wasps were on the back foot.

Wasps travel to London Scottish for their next game, a team in similar fine form and one position below them in the league table