by Elise Hammersley
Saracens hit the right note to claim their second successive bonus point victory as they beat Wasps 33-10 at StoneX stadium.
It was a scrappy clash under moody skies but the defending champions saw out a spirited Wasps side to put five tries on the board during this London Derby.
In the opening quarter both teams struggled to put passes to hand but, as they tussled for possession, the aerial territory battle between the two fly halves, Flo Williams and Hannah Edwards, began.
Come the 17-minute mark, a scrum penalty and Williams' boot allowed the hosts to deploy their driving maul. The black and red mass surged up the pitch and, as her teammates fell around her, Jeanina Loyola muscled free. The prop reached decisively over the line to open the scoring with Williams adding the extras against her former club.
Penalties continued to mount on both sides as a pattern of momentum, break, penalty established itself. Efforts were thwarted in each red zone leading up to the half-hour mark but it was Saracens who finally came good to record their second driving maul try of the afternoon. Jodie Rettie took the honours and Williams followed up with a successful conversion.
Despite the challenges of recent months and two tries against them, Wasps showed a valiant determination to stay in the fight as Edwards chose to take the three points from a well-slotted penalty kick.
It didn't do enough to halt their opposition, however, as shortly after Saracens finally managed to apply some sustained pressure, sending Scottish international Louise McMillan over to claim the try.
Neither team came out of the changing rooms with the efficiency they needed in the second half. It took 16 minutes and two Wasps yellows for Alex Austerberry's side to power over another score after Georgia Evans broke free from the base of the scrum.
Williams' conversion attempt ricocheted off the posts and the visitors were down but not quite out.
Wasps camped out in the Sarries 22 for what felt like an eternity but a combination of dogged determination, a bit of luck and a quick tap and go finally saw Liz Crake over for their only try of the day. Edwards returned from the bin in time to make it the full seven points.
A comeback was not to be however as LJ Lewis' side could not create any further momentum and conceded yet again in the 76th minute. A magnificent chase from scrum-half Ella Wyrwas allowed Saracens' counter-rucking prowess to prevail. The hosts followed in due course with their textbook driving maul and last week's hat-trick hero May Campbell added the bonus point cherry on top.
Williams finished off proceedings with a conversion and Wasps could do little to respond in the final minutes.
After this second-round victory, Saracens join Gloucester-Hartpury and Sale Sharks as the only teams to establish an early winning streak at the start of this season. The unbeaten side will roll on to another London derby in the form of Harlequins next week.
Wasps sit at the bottom of the table with a slightly less desirable group made up of those who are yet to record a win.
Featured Image: Matt Impey
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