Always a Wasp

A recently acquired Wasps programme from 27 December 1958 confirms that injury, unavailability and misfortune are nothing new for our club as well as heartwarming wins against the odds. There's lots to savour here from the amateur era . . .


"CLUB NOTES
Last week's victory at Northampton was an astonishing performance, for the powerful “Saints", only defeated twice this season, were unbeaten at home. They had 3 players in the International Trial but were otherwise at full strength. In contrast we had 4 players at Taunton (Herbert, Bendon, Simmonds and Kent), Greenhow injured with two broken ribs, Woodward and Syrett both unable to play.

The selected side had two hookers in the front row, Blacker and Wetson, but neither arrived! Blacker missed the train at Euston and Wetson had a muscle strain. So we played a reserve prop forward, George Taylor, at hooker and took the field with 14 men. After some ten minutes an unknown player from a junior side visiting a Northampton reserve team came on the field wearing a Wasp jersey to help us out. He did remarkably well.

At half-time Wasps were losing 14-6. Our former centre, Hosen, kicked three long-range penalty goals and also converted a try by Hyde. In reply we had a very fine penalty by Loveday against the wind and a try by Childs.

In the second half we owed much to Mettler, whose kicking of the heavy ball was excellent. Booth scored a good try which Loveday converted from touch; in the last minute Hurst produced a splendid try, Mettler converting to give us a remarkable victory 16-14."

Thanks, V V.