Stockport make it eight in a row to maintain lead
STOCKPORT travelled to Waterloo for what has always been a tough fixture, seeking to maintain a winning run.
It was a game in which Stockport dominated the first half but failed to convert several scoring chances.
The second half had the Waterloo backs running well and Stockport conceding what seemed like an endless stream of penalties, often at scrums when they were driving Waterloo backwards, which was a bit of a puzzle.
In the end Ewan Holt converted a penalty in the last minute to give Stockport a 22-25 lead, the closest score line of the season so far.
While failing to secure a try bonus point Stockport had kept their winning run on track, making it eight in a row to stay at the top of the table.
Stockport demonstrated at the first scrum that they would have domination in the set piece. Having gained a penalty Stockport went through the phases well and wing Richard Sackville-West broke through the defence to off load to centre Setarelli Takatori for the touch down, Holt converted for a sevenpoint lead after only four minutes.
Stockport continued to put together some good plays but Waterloo benefitted from a penalty and after Waterloo ran several plays before a tackle was broken and with a two-on-one the Waterloo wing scored a converted try to bring the sides level at 7-7 on 12 minutes. Holt, playing on the wing, collected a Waterloo clearance and make an excellent break into the Waterloo 22 and then converted the penalty for the high tackle that had stopped his run. 7-10.
Tom Eaton made a convincing break but what was a scoring pass was knocked on. Waterloo had to defend well as Stockport kept up the pressure but were unable to score until the final 10 minutes of the half when good continuity allowed Simon Green to run into the 22 and break through the defensive tackles to score under the posts. Holt converted for 7- 17. Waterloo replied immediately after a series of penalties allowed them to tap and run and they were eventually awarded a penalty try as Stockport hooker Dom Sheratte was yellow carded. It was 14-17 at half time.
The second half started with more penalties being awarded against Stockport as they dominated the scrums.
Eventually having a penalty in their favour, Stockport kicked into the home 22 and a wellcontrolled drive from the line out resulted in a try for Eaton, who had joined the drive from fly half. Holt was off target with the very difficult conversion but Stockport had a 14-22 lead after 45 minutes.
More penalties and some inaccuracy meant Stockport did not make the most of their possession but the Waterloo scrum half kept taking penalties quickly and on 58 minutes they moved the ball quickly to create space for an unconverted try to close to 19-22. Yet another penalty, there were over 30 in the game, allowed Waterloo to kick the goal and level at 22-22.
Waterloo were now making the most of their fast running backs and but for a tap tackle by wing Dudley Southern on the 10 metre line would have added a try.
There were two more try saving tackles, one by Southern and one by fullback Callum Owen before Holt had the chance to kick that penalty to go 22-25 ahead. Conceding a penalty at the restart, Stockport had a nervous moment but the Waterloo kick bounced off the posts for the game to end with a win for the visitors.
This weekend is a free week so the next game is at home against Wilmslow on November 13.