8 TRY VICTORY FOR IMPROVING STOCKPORT

Stockport produced some fine rugby, with excellent performances from both forwards and backs, linked by 18 year debutante scrum half Will Batterby, who scored one of several exciting tries in this 48-13 victory for Stockport at Blundell Sands. Tries came from good solid driving by the forwards and exciting running by the backs and if this level of improvement can be continued there is much to look forward to.
Waterloo started strongly and Stockport were under pressure before a penalty was scored by the home side after 7 minutes. Soon after a thrilling run by wing Myles Hall took him 40 metres with a fast, jinking run to beat the defence and score, Josh Longmore converted. Waterloo added a drop goal by their fly half before a drive following a lineout in the home 22 gave hooker Paul Millea a try on 20 minutes. Waterloo attacked but a turnover gave Simon Green the chance to set off down the touch line and he passed inside to Batterby, who made 30 metres, beating 3 defenders to score. Waterloo took a tap penalty in the Stockport 22 and looked to have scored but there was a foot in touch, they kept up the pressure as the half came to a close but the defence was good and Stockport were ahead 17-6 at the break.
The second half started with a try for wing Tom Oban after a strong run following a midfield break by prop Andy Fuller and a pick and drive by Dan Eccles. Longmore added the conversion, and the bonus point was in the bag. With a Waterloo second row off in the sin bin, Stockport took full advantage as the scrum option produced a try for Mike Waddington as he was driven over. Second row Chris Roddy scored his first try for the club, sidestepping 2 defenders, after good continuity and side to side movement created his opportunity in midfield. Longmore added the 2 points to make it 36-6. Waterloo were not for giving up and kept going through the phases but Stockport kept them in the middle of the pitch and there was no threat to the Stockport line. Eccles added a try as a well controlled scrum on 5 metres allowed him to touch down, again the conversion was added. Waterloo came back with a converted try but Stockport finished with a try by centre Jonny Edwards after Roddy straightened the attack in midfield and slipped a pass to Jamie Anthony, who passed to Edwards to run in round the defence to make the final score 48-13.