Waterloo go down fighting to champions

Apr 28 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

OTLEY clinched the National Two title with a 37-15 win at Blundellsands, yet were made to fight all the way by a Waterloo side determined to salvage something from what has been a disappointing season.

The visitors began as though they were going to steam-roller their way through after Howard Parr had gone over from a catch and drive. Alastair Monks added the conversion and a try by Stephen Parsons on the back of a drive to the line, with Monks slotting a penalty, gave the visitors a 15-0 lead.

Waterloo came to life in the second quarter and persistent play through the phases brought a try for Matt Bradley, the winger squeezing in at the corner. But a second try by Parr, again from a catch and drive, in time added on made it 20-5 to the visiors at the break.

In the second period Waterloo continued to fight with spirit but a second try for Parsons, converted from the touchline by Monks, left them four scores behind.

It proved too great a deficit, although they still refused to capitulate, and superb interplay between Jason Duffy and Neil Kerfoot produced a try for the winger. It was Kerfoot again, with a blistering run in broken play, that provided the focus for a drive over the line, Jon Nugent claiming the touchdown.

However Otley rounded off their championship season with a penalty from Ian Shuttleworth with Parsons crossing for a final try to bring up his hat-trick, converted by the full back.

Wallasey 26, Prenton 15: Wallasey retained their hold on the Wirral Floodlit Cup with a comfortable victory over Prenton at New Brighton for their fifth successive win.

Keith Mahon scored two tries with others from Craig Wilson and Martin Sutton. Paul Lewis landed a trio of conversions.