Table-topping Wanderers setup Kestrel rematch

Wimbourne Wasps - 580* vs Kenmare Kestrels - 220

	Kestrels	Wasps
Keeper	O’Hare (C)	Brookstanton (C)
Chasers	McNally	Pippins
	Rosebottom	Branstone
	Watkins	Johnston
Beaters	Winston	Nutt
	O’Brien	Fincher
Seeker	Denshaw	Vogler

In the very last game of the season, when both teams involved have their positions essentially settled, we would usually see rest and recuperation aplenty. However not in this case. Managers Seamus O’Mahoney and Amos Golpalott surely noted the fact that, barring a shock Kestrels upset, this encounter would be repeated in the first week of the finals and so gave both their line-ups ample preparation.

For the Wasps, there was also still the small matter of the minor premierships. But thanks to the Harpies having overcome the Magpies on Friday night, all Wimbourne needed was a point, win or tie.

But the Kestrels tried their utmost to make that point far from guaranteed in the early stages. Ulysses Rosebottom in particular impressed, outshining Deirdre McNally even. In the fiftieth minute, a Fearghal Watkins goal levelled the scores at 90-90 and Wasps fans were shifting nervously in their seats.

But they needn’t have worried, for Golpalott’s troops were merely scoping out their opposition as they played their way slowly into the match. Wimbourne’s primary of the day was off field in fact, with news that vital Beater Erasmus Oddpick had been struck down with a mysterious illness which could jeopardise his availability throughout the finals.

Oddpick’s absence allowed Althea Fincher to grab a second starting berth this year. Fincher and Gaius Nutt struggled to gel early on, however both are world class Beaters and by the second hour they were dominating their opposite numbers.

With the Quaffle it was Jadzia Johnston who then stood up and killed off any chances of Kestrel glory.  Johnston was at her unpredictable best, some of her moves reminiscent of the very heights of her world-beating 2010 prowess. One such astonishing moment was a remarkable Porskoff Ploy which saw Delphine Branstone and Bruni Pippins draw Kestrel Keeper Saraid O’Hare away from goal in their low support positions only for Johnston to arc the Quaffle through the hoop from altitude.

In the end Venus Vogler’s workout was merely a training run. The match was well beyond safe by the time she saw and snapped up the snitch, officially handing the Wasps a much-deserved second consecutive minor-premiership.

Wimbourne Wasps - 580: Johnston 30, Branstone 9, Pippins 4, Vogler Capture

Kenmare Kestrels - 220: McNally 9, Rosebottom 8, Watkins 5

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: JADZIA JOHNSTON (WASPS)