LSH 23 Waterloo 31

IN one of the best games seen at Moss Lane for many years LSH, after leading three times, were eventually overpowered by a Waterloo side who now stretch their unbeaten run to eight games.

Two contrasting styles of play - LSH running the ball through the backs and Waterloo keeping it tight within the forwards - produced a marvellous encounter with the result in doubt until the last few minutes.

LSH seized the initiative and rocked the strong favourites by scoring three times in the first 15 minutes. Simon Worsley slotted a penalty after Waterloo were ruled offside then Dave Cunliffe won a 40-metre sprint against Neil Kerfoot to touch down Danny Collins' fly kick through the Waterloo defence. Worsley missed the conversion but landed a drop goal moments later to give LSH an 11-0 lead.

Waterloo, ominously, began recycling possession among their forwards using their obvious weight advantage. This brought two penalties both converted by Tony Handley to keep them in touch before going ahead with a try from prop Les Bone driven over by the Waterloo pack. Handley converted to give the visitors the lead at 11-13.

LSH hit back on the half-hour with a second try from Cunliffe, once again outpacing his rival winger in another chase to the Waterloo line, this time following up a well-judged kick by Worsley.

LSH could not quite hold the lead to half-time with Tony Handley landing a penalty to level matters at 16-16.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes of the second half in which Keulemans (LSH) and White (Waterloo) were both yellow-carded and Jon Hitchen and Dave Lupton were introduced for LSH, the visitors went ahead with another penalty from Handley.

Three minutes later Moss Lane erupted as Dave Cunliffe stormed over to complete a hat-trick of tries.

The battle in the centre of the field between Sean Casey and Alan Cross opposite Gareth Davies and Freeman Payne ended with honours even with both sets of centres effectively cancelling each other out. On this occasion, however, Casey broke through and astonishingly found the LSH second-row on his shoulder giving support.

A swift passing movement through Mike Nugent and Alan Marsh found the powerful wingman who made no mistake from 20 metres. Worsley, once again impressive throughout, landed the touchline conversion.

Waterloo, however, were not to be denied. Inspired by inventive scrum-half Craig Aikman and fired by former LSH favourite Njike Tchakoute, they powered forward for a second try from Bone to edge in front 23-24.

LSH created chances in the closing stages but the Waterloo defence held firm. The visitors clinched victory four minutes from time with another driven-over try, claimed by flanker Dan Palmer.

This Saturday LSH travel to Dudley Kingswinford.

Waterloo 2nd 3 LSH 2nd 15

With a number of enforced changes just before kick-off and with Stu Carter lining up in unfamiliar territory in the centre, the seconds played with passion and commitment to pull off an impressive away win.

Prop Dave Conway and flanker Jon Nugent scored first-half tries with Waterloo replying with a solitary penalty. Then a massive second-half effort kept the home side out before young Andy Dowell stretched the lead with a well-taken try.

LSH 3rd 20 Waterloo 3rd 3

Matt Monroe scored LSH's opening try, midway through the first half, following an attack that combined the skills of the forwards and backs. Waterloo closed the gap just before half-time with a penalty.

In the second half concerted pressure led to a 50-metre sprint by the youthful Colin Mercure for the second try before the lead was extended by two tries from exciting paceman, Dudley Daventry. Skipper Mark Richards failed to enhance the score with the boot, but LSH maintain their unbeaten home record and keep the pressure on the NW3 league leaders.

LSH Phoenix 95 Colne & Nelson 2nd 0

The Phoenix remain top of NW4 after a mismatch of a contest against an East Lancashire side supplemented by three of the plentiful Phoenix squad.

Dave Lilley and Neil Plumbley ran the show, with Peter Considine showing some good touches and almost everyone got on the scoresheet. Speedster Chris Highcock roared in for a hat-trick and prop Mark Henry surprised everyone, with a 50-metre sprint to the line for a superb try.

Wilmslow Vets 10 LSH Vets 0

Two first-half tries settled the contest in which LSH utility man Tommy Houghton showed his versatility playing in five positions.