Injuries take their toll on Waterloo

Nov 5 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

WATERLOO'S injury crisis told in the cruellest possible way as they went down 40-6 away at Southend in National Two.

Already forced to select players out of position and with injuries during the game causing further re-organisation, the euphoria that greeted the victory over Blackheath last week soon evaporated.

The home side ran in three tries through Mark Billings and Faapolu Soolefai, who crossed twice, both converted by Andrew Frost, to a solitary penalty from Alex Davies which added up to a 19-3 lead for Southend at half-time.

A second penalty from Davies raised expectations but it proved a false dawn as Waterloo struggled to hold the defensive line.

As Southend grew in confidence the visitors’ weakness in key positions was exposed.

A try by Nick Pay through non-existent defence to secure the bonus point, converted by Frost, began the rout and it was Frost who again piled on the agony with a try which he also converted.

The final score was a try from replacement hooker Isaac Cook, also converted by Frost.

Despite the scoreline few could doubt the spirit of the Merseysiders.

They were competent enough at the set piece but with no pace out wide and defensive organisation in chaos due to the changes, they were no match for a side who were determined to take the scalp of a famous club.

ST EDWARDS took a thriller at Douglas 24-23 in South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three. Peter Stephenson crossed twice with other tries from Luke Naylor and Luke Jeffreys. Martin McGeough converted twice.

Steve Bythe and Paul Wigfield gained tries for Parkonians in a 34-10 defeat against visiting Eagle. Ellesmere Port came away 17-13 to the good from Prenton.