Momentum lost in ‘Port’s Waterloo
STOCKPORT travelled to Waterloo with high hopes of a first win of the season – Waterloo were also without a win but had two bonus points and the visitors’ performance against Hull had been encouraging.
However, despite dominating the first half through a very good forward performance and being 14-0 up with two good converted tries, Stockport were unable to maintain momentum and the final score was 42-14 to Waterloo.
Once again there was no lack of effort by the Stockport players but too many inaccuracies and penalties allowed Waterloo to get back on terms with tries either side of half time and then their backs proved Stockport’s undoing as the scrum half and full back kept finding ways to outflank the Stockport defence.
A good start by Stockport included Scott Redfern intercepting on half way, he just unable to reach the line but Waterloo conceeded a penalty and Jordan Pearson took advantage to go over for a try, which Redfern converted.
Waterloo missed an easy penalty before their No 8 was sent to sin bin.
Stockport then had some good pressure and a series of drives from a line out gave lock Paul Ralph the try, Redfern was again on target for a 14-0 lead.
Five minutes later Waterloo responded with a very good backs move as the blind side wing took an offload to carve open the Stockport defence, the conversion was added.
Stockport had to defend well as Waterloo had an attacking line out, what looked like a good clearance failed to make touch on the half way line and the home scrum half picked up and ran through some poor Stockport tackling to score allowing Waterloo to draw level at 14-14 on the stoke of half time.
The Waterloo full back came into the line with good effect only three minutes into the second half to score under the posts.
Only minutes later after full back Mike Hughes dealt with a high kick, a penalty was awarded to the home side and their quick tap gave them another converted try to go 28-14 up.
Despite some very strong running from Jordan Pearson, Stockport’s man of the match, the visitors were unable get back on terms and a break by the Waterloo scrum half set up a fast passing move and they were in for another converted try to make it 35-14 after 55 minutes.
The chance of even a losing bonus point had now receded and with a number of injuries Stockport were clearly tiring from their defensive efforts.
A knock on allowed the Waterloo No 11 to pick up and run in from half way for their sixth converted try and a convincing 42-14 victory.
Next week sees top of the table Huddersfield come to Headlands Road for what will clearly be a very tough game for Stockport. Kick off will be at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, Heaton Moor are back in action at the weekend looking to end a four-game losing sequence when they take on Hoylake at home, kick off 2.15pm.