Spirited Stockport clinch bonus point
STOCKPORT came away with a well deserved losing bonus point from a hard fought game at Blundell Sands.
Having suffered a heavy defeat against Waterloo at home earlier in the season this was a much more spirited performance, with greater intensity than in last week’s game against Altrincham Kelsal.
After a positive start Stockport spent much of the game defending as the Waterloo forwards played a driving game that kept the Stockport defence under pressure for long periods.
Despite the spirited defence it was three missed tackles that allowed the home side to score tries that took them into a lead that Stockport never looked like overtaking.
The final score was 24-17, with Waterloo taking a try bonus point to stay in third, while Stockport drop back to seventh.
Stockport started well with a good drive away from a line out after the kick off went into touch, Simon Green stole a Waterloo line out and a good kick ahead by Liam McGovern gave James Keane a chance but the ball just went dead before he could get the touch down.
Waterloo then attacked and the Stockport defence was good until the home No 5 ran a good line to go through a tackle and get the try, there was no conversion.
Stockport responded well and after earning two penalties Jordan Pearson got the touch down after a good drive from a line out 10 metres out, McGovern converted to put Stockport ahead at 5-7.
Both sides then had periods of pressure but it was Waterloo who got the next score after their forwards took a line out and went over wide out for the lead 10-5.
On the stroke of half time Waterloo ran good lines and supported well to work the ball to the left wing who scored and the conversion made it 17-7 at the break.
McGovern kicked a penalty for Stockport early in the second half but the pressure mounted by the Waterloo forwards resulted in a try 10 minutes later to put them up 24-10.
Stockport were unable to get into the Waterloo half for long periods as the home forwards kept up a relentless pick and go tactic. Stockport defended well with many tackles required to prevent Waterloo scoring again.
When Stockport eventually got into the home half, a good attack was stopped as centre George Smith was taken out by a high tackle, which prevented a real scoring opportunity.
The Waterloo centre was red carded for the tackle and Stockport took advantage, opting for a scrum and the resulting drive gave Pearson his second try, which McGovern converted for 24-17 securing Stockport’s losing bonus point.
Next week is a home fixture against old rivals Wilmslow, a game made even more interesting by the fact that both teams have 47 points in the table.