Bennett shines as Waterford blast past Tipperary

A second half blitz inspired by an imperious Stephen Bennett saw Waterford retain top billing in Division 1 Group B and firmly in contention for a fourth Allianz Hurling League title.

Before a 5,865-strong gate, Liam Cahill's men looked stronger, faster and hungrier than a Tipperary side whose challenge significantly diminished heading into the final quarter.

An end to end first half featuring 28 scores saw Waterford go in two points to the good, leading by 1-13 to 0-14, with Kieran Bennett opening the scoring after 15 seconds.

But Tipperary, with the wind in their favour, soon took up the running, with Jason Forde and Michael Breen both pointing twice, in addition to a single from Mark Kehoe to go four clear by the seventh minute.

Stephen Bennett’s free reduced the arrears in the 10th minute with Tipp’s Barry Heffernan next to score on the quarter hour mark.

Mark Kehoe brilliantly killed another high ball after 16 minutes to extend Tipp’s lead only for the onrushing Iarlaith Daly to immediately point from Waterford’s next attack.

Points from Jake Morris and Mark Kehoe left Tipperary in a commanding position after 20 minutes, leading by six points, but that was to prove as good as it got for the visitors.

Stephen Bennett offered an instant reply from Waterford’s next attack and had Barry Hogan’s net billowing 60 seconds later following a fine move involving Michael Kiely and Patrick Curran.

Barely a minute later, Curran was next to point and Bennett’s 25th minute free restored parity. Bennett tagged on another free after 26, rapidly followed by a fine Jack Prendergast effort down the right flank as Tipp’s momentum ground to a halt.

Bennett landed another free just shy of the half-hour mark to send the hosts a goal clear. But