Leaders given a fright by Waterhead

RUGBY:

WATERHEAD came within a whisker of upsetting NCL Division One high-flyers Wigan St Jude’s.

The visitors were beaten 34-26 - after a late rally that almost brought victory.

Alan Williamson put Waterhead in front in the seventh minute with a try Michael Diveney converted.

St Jude’s hit back for a 16-6 lead. But Andy Sands’ team reduced the deficit to four points at half-time thanks to Terry Fitzgerald diving in and Diveney, who struggled with injury throughout the contest, adding the extras.

Fifteen minutes after the restart, Waterhead’s bid to topple the table-toppers was scuppered.

They conceded two soft tries to Dean Hunt and Robinson, and with the latter kicking the goals, the hosts’ advantage was up to 28-12.

Craig Highton hit back for Waterhead just after the hour, but Robinson, with a try and a conversion, guided St Jude’s further clear.

Waterhead were not done with. In a terrific final 10 minutes, they went over through Dale Lowe and Martin Sarsfield. Fitzgerald landed one of the two conversion attempts.