FIRWOOD WATERLOO went down 17-13 at home to Billingham after a dramatic second half collapse.

It was a game the hosts should have had sewn up by the interval but even so there will be obvious disappointment that they allowed a 13-0 lead at half time to slip away in the second period.

Although they managed a losing bonus point to ease pressure at the lower end of the table that was nothing more than small consolation. With the home side controlling the opening stages, two penalties from Liam Reeve afforded a 6-0 lead. Pressure from the pack sucking in the Billingham defence created enough space out wide for James O’Brien to coast onto Reeve’s accurate cross kick for a try, the conversion also from Reeve putting the Merseysiders 13-0 ahead. With Firwood Waterloo dominating most of the exchanges it looked as though the lead would be stretched further but poor handing and an inability to put chances away left Billingham in with a chance as the half drew to a close.

The visitors needed no further asking as a try from Eldon Myers converted by Peter Evans who also slotted a penalty closed the gap to just 3 points and with the home side losing both Dan King and James O’Brien to the sin bin putting them down to 14 men for 20 minutes of the half, the visitors took their chance with a second try for Myers and a penalty from Evans sealing the win. This week Firwood Waterloo are away to West Hartlepool