Wasps outclass fearless Falcons

Wimbourne Wasps - 750* vs Falmouth Falcons - 410

	Wasps	Falcons
Keeper	Brookstanton (C)	Frobisher
Chasers	Pippins	Grinderford (C)
	Branstone	Goodfellow
	Johnston	Meadows
Beaters	Nutt	Bundy
	Oddpick	Wagtail
Seeker	Vogler	Mostafa

The true litmus test of any team’s standing is how they perform against the Wimbourne Wasps. The Tutshill Tornados’ League Cup triumph last year was all the more special having conquered the Wasps on the way. For the Falcons, fresh off a surprisingly skilful and complete display against the far from shabby Arrows, victory here could be the start of something special. Maybe, just maybe, the start of a journey towards removing that oversized monkey on the back that is their thirty-five year title drought.

The odds were against them, but early on such a win seemed distinctly possible. The traditional Falmouth physicality was there, primarily courtesy of ruthless Beaters Cyprian Bundy and Gordon Wagtail, as well as Caliban Goodfellow’s infamously broad shoulders. But there was also some eye-catching athleticism from Marina Grinderdord and Fairfax Meadows. For the second week in a row Grinderford was sterling and already appears to be one of the favourites for the Goodwin Kneen medal come season’s end.

At the end of the first hour the Falcons led 90-70, dominating play with a stunning mixture of brutality and skill. But the Wasps, more effectively than any other team in the League, can adapt to any situation. Apollo Brookstanton was the first to stand up, marginalizing the goal-scoring prowess of Grinderford to an extent. Still the Falcons captain got the Quaffle past her opposite number 24 times, but it was a memorable personal battle between two of the world’s topmost players.

But Grinderford aside, the Falcons began to fade and fell into their old traps of over-reliance on violence and treachery. But the Wasps Chasers were too nimble, Beaters too equal to the violent task, and Keeper too rock solid. As each hour passed Wimbourne seized further control of the match. But that one question mark still remained. Seven hours after lift-off the match continued, petering out in competitiveness with the Wasps lead approaching two hundred. In the early moments of the eighth hour Venus Vogler pounced, sealing the Wasps hard-fought victory, 750 to 410. But still the doubters will talk.

Wimbourne Wasps - 750: Branstone 19, Pippins 18, Johnston 13, Aldermaston 5, Dodderidge 3, Toots 2, Vogler Capture

Falmouth Falcons - 410: Grinderford 24, Meadows 11, Goodfellow 5, Otterburn 1

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: APOLLO BROOKSTANTON (WASPS)