Saturday 3 October 2026 | Actonians 2nd XV vs Wasps 2nd XV

Actonians 2nd XV emerged victorious in a thrilling, closely contested encounter against Wasps 2nd XV on Saturday, with a combination of expansive attacking rugby, forward dominance and superior fitness eventually proving the difference.

Despite fielding a smaller side than usual, Actonians came out of the blocks firing, moving the ball confidently through the hands and making full use of the space out wide. Some excellent passing rugby saw the away side race into an early lead, with several tries finished off on the wings.

Among the standout performers was debutant Aiden, who marked his first appearance in an Actonians shirt with a superb try down the touchline. He was one of several new faces who made an immediate impact, showing plenty of promise for the season ahead.

However, Wasps were never going to roll over. After weathering the early Actonians onslaught, the home side began to find their rhythm in the latter stages of the first half. Some strong attacking play and well-worked tries saw them claw their way back into contention, narrowing the gap considerably by the half-time whistle.

The second half picked up exactly where the first had left off. Wasps continued to move the ball well, testing the Actonians defence and crossing for further tries to keep the scoreboard tight. With momentum swinging between the two sides, the match was finely poised heading into the final stages.

But when the pressure was on, Actonians found another gear. Captain Dec Bambrick stepped up to slot a crucial penalty, helping his side regain control. The forwards deserve particular credit, consistently carrying hard, making valuable metres and providing the platform for the backs to play.

As the game entered its closing stages, Actonians' superior fitness and physicality began to tell. With Wasps tiring, the visitors dug deep, continued to push forward and eventually crossed for a final try to put the result beyond doubt.

It was a fantastic contest played in great spirit, with both sides contributing to an entertaining afternoon of rugby. Credit must go to Wasps for their resilience and determination in fighting back from an early deficit.

Final score: Wasps 2’s 27 - 34 Actonian’s 2’s

Special mentions go to Aiden for his two-try debut, Dec for his important contribution from the tee, and our MOTM Connah Thompson who, with a sprained hand, finished the full 80 as strong as ever.

A hard-earned victory for the 2s, built on teamwork, attacking ambition and a willingness to keep fighting until the final whistle. An impressive start for the team in the new league!

Up the As!

MOTM Connah Thompson
DOTD Ed McGuire