Win secured despite 3 yellow cards

Stockport secured a win in the first game of the New Year as they beat visitors Waterloo 20-13 to retain 4th place in the table. It was a game between two sides who looked as if they had just had 3 weeks off, with many handling errors, far too many penalties conceded and 4 yellow cards shown. However both teams did show what they could do with some good running and slick passing from the backs and some powerful driving by the forwards. The first half was a very even affair and it was not until Stockport got a try on the stroke of half time that either side gained any real advantage. The second half was dominated by Stockport but it was Waterloo who got a try in the last minute to secure their losing bonus point.
Stockport were first on the score board with a penalty by Josh Longmore on 16 minutes. Waterloo then had a period of good possession and territory and drew level with a penalty on 20 minutes. The second quarter was evenly matched until a good move by Stockport saw the ball moved to the left and Jamie Anthony drew the defence to give fellow centre Gregg Newton space to run in from the 22 and get the touch down. Longmore converted from wide out to make it 10-3 as the half time whistle was blown.
Stockport started the second half well and nearly scored after the ball was moved wide but a penalty in their favour was reversed and Longmore yellow carded for a comment to the touch judge. Despite being a man down Stockport kept up the pressure and full back Jonny Edwards touched down near the posts after a great drive by the forwards and good movement of the ball gave him the chance to beat the tackles and stretch for the try. Edwards converted and added a penalty on 60 minutes to make it 20-3. Yellow cards were issued to the Waterloo No 6 then to Stockport’s Alistair Green and Craig Anthony, resulting a penalty for the visitors for 20-6. Waterloo kept up the pressure until a converted try after a passive scrum gave the visitors their losing bonus point at 20-13.