Penrith's last game in the first half of the season was last Saturday
away at bottom of the table Waterloo and they travelled down there
hoping to kick start their season and climb the league. They were
bitterly disappointed and came away with their tails between their legs
having conceded six tries without reply and kick started Waterloo's
season.
Both sides looked low in confidence from the off but the home side did
start the better of the two, Penrith had trouble keeping the ball for
any length of time and consequently Waterloo did get the opportunity to
play themselves into a bit of form and they took full advantage.
They scored their opening try when Penrith were unable to deal with a
box kick and their advancing winger was able to pinch possession and
score in the corner. They scored again after gaining field position
with a couple of penalties down the left touchline and then drove the
ball over following a five metre lineout.
Penrith did then get back into the game, they won three attacking
lineouts in the home 22 but the forwards could not quite force the
score. The home side were penalised at the scrum on the 22 head on to
the posts and Carl Forber kicked the penalty to bring the score back to
10-3.
The Cumbrians then conceded a third try when they played the ball out
of the tackle straight into the oppositions hands and then a fourth
following a poor clearance kick. Forber had a long range penalty
attempt go just wide but they turned around trailing 22-3 with the game
all but over.
The second half was rather better, Gary Hodgson came out of the game
with some credit as he regularly got over the gain line and Ben
Littleton made a couple of searing breaks in broken play from fullback
but they were unable to apply the killer blow to any of these half
chances.
Penrith again camped on the home line after winning an attacking
lineout but again the home defence held firm. The backs made a couple
of line breaks in the second half but couldn't finish them off. You
just had the feeling if they could have struck back once or twice the
home side would have faltered but it didn't happen.
Waterloo took advantage again when gifted possession in broken play and
scored a sixth try with the final play of the game just to put the tin
hat on it. If Penrith are going to haul themselves out of the
relegation zone there is going to be some serious soul searching but
good players do not become poor players overnight and they are going to
have to knuckle down and graft their way out of trouble