Firwood Waterloo visited Stockport for the second time as they returned to Headlands Road for this postponed fixture after last weeks heavy rain. Always difficult opponents Waterloo provided tough opposition with their good passing and continuity, which meant the Stockport players had to be at the top of their tackling game. Try saving tackles were made by wing Jack Martin, full back Callum Owen and No 10 Tom Eaton, but once again this was a whole team effort by Stockport as they scored 6 tries despite the best efforts of the Waterloo players. Stockport dominated territory and possession except in the third quarter when Waterloo got themselves within 3 points at 24-21 before Stockport re-established control to score 3 more tries and seal the 34-21 victory. Everyone in this team makes a significant contribution but mention must be made of locks Matt Lawrowitsch and James Shaw, both of whom made many tackles and were very much involved in passing and driving forward as well as scoring a try each.

Despite a positive start by Stockport the visitors got on the score board first as two penalties were awarded and 10 metres added for back chat, the Waterloo scrum half tapped and the ball was moved to their centre, who scored a try that was converted after only 5 minutes. Stockport replied immediately as Lawrowitsch touched down following a well driven maul after a line out in the Waterloo 22, there was no conversion for 5-7. A Stockport pass was intercepted on half way by the Waterloo No 8 and he ran in unopposed to make it 5-14 after 10 minutes and Stockport knew they were in a game. A well timed pass by Shaw gave wing Richard Sackville-West a run towards the line but he was stopped short and the ball was held up over the line as the Stockport forwards followed up. A Waterloo break which seemed to have put their wing clear had Martin making his try saving tackle and he was quickly on his feet to win a turnover penalty. With 20 minutes gone a good pick and drive series by the Stockport forwards allowed the ball to be moved left where flanker Ed Poulson was waiting to make the touch down, Ewan Holt slotted the difficult conversion to make it 12-14. As the half drew to a close Poulson made a strong break and the backs took over and centre Nick Coupland put in an excellent kick, which Martin ran onto and his offload had hooker Sam Graham side stepping two defenders to score and make it 17-14 at half time.

Early in the second half another Poulson run and quick movement of the ball had Owen running at the Waterloo line, he was tackled but popped the ball up and prop Tom Mantell was on hand to dive over and score, Holt converted to make it 24-14. Stockport are used to controlling games from such a position but Waterloo had a very good third quarter, keeping possession well and keeping the Stockport tacklers busy. After retaining the ball through many phases Waterloo eventually scored a converted try to get to 24-21 with half an hour to go. Owen was soon making his try saving tackle to stop a Waterloo attack. Holt made a good break through several tackles and passed to Sackville-West who looked to be clear but Waterloo had their own try saver. Good control from a line out gave Graham his second try to put Stockport 29-21 ahead with 20 minutes to go. Stockport still had a lot of tackling to do as Waterloo continued to put phases together but with 5 minutes to go Shaw got his try after a good scrum drive to make it 34-21. Waterloo then dominated the final minutes and put real pressure on the Stockport line but there was a great defensive set and Stockport got a turnover to end the game.

Next week is an away game at Wilmslow.