For the first time in the history of Stockport RUFC that they beat the famous Liverpool side Waterloo. However, such are the current expectations at Stockport RUFC, there was very little back slapping in evidence at Headlands Road after their 18-10 victory. Whilst Stockport dominated most facets of the game they laboured to convert their dominance into points.

Waterloo imposed the early pressure and it took Stockport 8 minutes to even get out of their half. Stockport then declined several chances
to take points through penalty attempts. They eventually scored through a catch and drive move after kicking to touch after another penalty award. Flanker John Wilson touched down. 5-0. 5 minutes later a Stockport policy change saw Richard Hopkinson kick the next penalty, 8-0 and the score remained like that until half time.

There were a number of factors which were making the game a disjointed
spectacle. There were intermittent heavy down pours and both teams were having trouble with the referee’s interpretation of the laws at the break down. Early in the second half Richard Hopkinson extended the Stockport lead to 11-0. Waterloo kicked a penalty in the 18th minute and when a clearance was charged down it gifted the visitors a converted try. There was concern that Stockport would regret not taking their penalties in the first half. 11-10.

Stockport dug in and as the game entered the last five minutes it was their forwards who put the game safe with a try by Andy Fuller. Hopkinson’s conversion denied Waterloo a bonus point. 18-10.