Rugby Union: Waterloo fight back to claim best win yet

Oct 29 2007 by Geoff Lightfoot, Liverpool Daily Post

WATERLOO achieved their best result of the season so far in National Two.

Yet the opening half was dominated by the visitors’ big pack, who had control at both the set piece and in the loose. An early penalty by Matt Leek and a pushover try claimed by David Allen gave Blackheath an 8-0 lead.

Despite struggling up front, a break by Jonny Lowdon and good hands across the line followed by a swift transfer inside created a try for the supporting Alastair Davidson.

Reduced to 14 men with Bruno Pani sin binned, Waterloo were punished by a Leek penalty. But a high tackle after Arno de Jager had broken through gave Alex Davies the opportunity to close the gap.

Perhaps fortunate to be only trailing 11-8 at the break, the introduction of Martin O’Keefe began to swing the game towards the home side with a drive over the line for a try by Dan Smith beginning the fightback. Davies converted.

Blackheath scrum-half Joseph Simpson was given too much space to score wide out, but a try by Jason Duffy converted by Davies, and a delicate cross-field chip by the outside half for Chris Parrott to score the fourth try, gave the Merseysiders a well-deserved maximum five points.

In South Lancashire/Cheshire Two League Collegiate surprised Orrell Anvils 35-9 and Ormskirk accounted for Crewe and Nantwich 17-10.

St Edwards romped home 33-5 against Prenton in Division Three. Peter Stephenson led the way with three tries. Suanu Labari and Tom Manley also went in and Martin McGeough converted four times. Andrew Johnson gained a consolation try for Prenton.

Mossley Hill edged out Holmes Chapel 17-15 but there were defeats for Eagle, 23-12 at home to Douglas, and Parkonians, 67-0 at Trentham.

Merseyside Police and Port Sunlight finished 15-15 in Division Four. St Mary’s saw off Capenhurst 48-26 but West Park Warriors went under 24-15 at Marple.