Stockport travelled to Blundellsands for a game against the team 1 point below them in the league table. This is always a tough fixture and on this occasion Stockport were comprehensively outplayed in the first half giving the home side a 21-0 half time lead. Despite a much improved performance in the second half Stockport were unable to close the gap, with two tries for each side resulting in a final score of 35-12. The Waterloo backs had good pace out wide and their linking and offloading created space for their wide players to outflank the Stockport defence for 3 of their tries. The Stockport forwards created several chances in the first half but were unable to take advantage of the positions established and it was the forwards who looked most likely to score in the second half.

Waterloo started well, running the ball from the kick off and getting into the Stockport 22, Tom Mantell won a penalty for Stockport as Waterloo held onto the ball but the clearance did not find touch and Waterloo attacked again and after several phases a miss pass created space for the centre to run in under the posts for 7-0 after only 7 minutes. Stockport had a good spell in the home 22 through pressure by the forwards but eventually there was a scrum to Waterloo and they cleared. Waterloo gained possession at the following line out and their flanker ran in to score making it 14-0. From the kick off Waterloo ran again and got the ball out to the left wing and he outpaced the Stockport defence, running in from half way and at 21-0 on 24 minutes it looked ominous for Stockport, they did manage to get some progress but were unable to get a score of their own while preventing Waterloo adding to their 3 tries.

Waterloo added a 4th try quickly after the restart, the referee appeared to signal an advantage to Stockport but did not allow it when Tome Eaton’s kick was collected and the referee allowed play to go on and the Warrington left wing added a fourth try, which was converted for 28-0. Stockport then had a good spell of pressure and hooker Paul McGookin was driven over by a well organised forward effort, Dudley Southern converted to get Stockport to 28-7. Just minutes later the Waterloo right wing picked up on a loose pass and ran in unopposed from 20 metres to take the home side well clear at 35-7. There was some consolation for Stockport after they dominated most of the final quarter, Tom Eaton took a quick tap penalty and lock Matt Lawrowitsch took the ball at pace and got the try, there was no conversion and only time for the Waterloo kick off before the final whistle went at 35-12.

With a break until after the New Year begins it is hoped that there will be players returning from injury to get the second half of the season off to a positive start.