Hampstead Ladies’ second team found themselves two players down against High Wycombe but nearly overcame the odds in a 25-22 defeat.

Wycombe scored the opening try in the 12-a-side match but Astrid Passot then finished a good team move out wide to level the scores at 5-5.

Hampstead then lost Harriet Stickland to injury but went into the break with a 12-10 lead as Kristina Mouridsen crossed the line and Juliette Rouessee converted.

Wycombe then upped the ante and scored three times to go 25-12 up, while Hampstead were reduced to 10 players as Mariama Connell went off.

However, Emily Taylor went over between the posts and, in the last play of the match, Rosie Whitter ripped the ball from an opponent and raced to the line to narrow the gap to three points at the end.