LIVERPOOL St Helens made the short trip to Waterloo to restart their season after the winter break and although producing a display full of effort and commitment came off very much second best by nine tries to two, 46-12 defeat.

In front of the largest crowd seen by the Moss Laners all season, they held their own in virtually all the different components of the game, except the one that ultimately counts, tries scored.

With broadly equal success in scrums, lineouts and turnovers, LSH were undone by the cleverness and speed of the Waterloo backs, running in seven of their nine tries from their own 22, two from behind their own line.

It was very much a case of two steps forward and three steps back for LSH, too often losing possession when attacking and then failing to stop the Waterloo counter attack, delivered at speed.

The pattern was set in the first half with the home side running in three tries, answered by a smart score from scrum half Jamie Morris, converted by Matty Wood.

Three more tries followed by the half hour mark before LSH’s persistent efforts were rewarded by a close range try from Connor Thompson.

To emphasise their superiority Waterloo ran in three more tries in the final ten minutes to complete their victory.

Next Saturday LSH are at Home to Kirkby Lonsdale 2.15