TWELVE months ago Waterloo would probably have accepted this result but now despite the losing bonus point it will be seen as points lost, a mark of how far this side has come in the intervening period.

Yet an old problem did raise its head – a lack of numbers on the field. Two men in the sin bin, Sean Ruwers and Dan Palmer, reducing at one time the home side to 13 men is not acceptable, especially against sides like league leaders Chester.

The visitors made the early running and opened the scoring with a try from Liam Gill.

As Waterloo began to work their way into the game a penalty from Liam Reeve made it 5-3 at the break.

Josh Leach and Reeve exchanged penalties but presented with the impossibility of defending with reduced numbers, Waterlo went further behind to a try from Ross White before Reeve and Leach rounded off proceedings with a penalty apiece.