Waterford scored a narrow win over Cork in the Waterford Crystal South East senior hurling league tie at Dungarvan yesterday. It was a game in which the closeness of the exchanges made up for the average standard of play with never more than two points separating the sides.

Waterford led by 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time after the sides had been level on four occasions in that opening half. Late points from Paul Flynn and Peter Queally gave the home side their narrow advantage at the break. Points from Kevin Murray and Barry Egan brought Cork back on level terms six minutes into the second half, before Egan pointed a free to put the visitors back in front for the first time since the end of the opening quarter.

Ken McGrath had the sides level within three minutes before Dan Shanahan and McGrath (free) gave the home side a 0-12 to 0-10 lead as the game entered the closing quarter. Despite three points from substitute Michael O'Connell, Cork could not snatch that vital equalising score as points from Billy O'Sullivan and Flynn saw Waterford keep their noses in front right to the final whistle.

Waterford: S Brenner; B Flannery, S Cullinane, M O'Sullivan; J O'Connor, T Feeney, P Queally (0-1); G Gater, J J Ronayne (0-1); D Shanahan (0-1), G Harris (0-2), K McGrath (0-3); B O'Sullivan (0- 2), P Flynn (0-4), D McGrath. Sub: J Meaney for Ronayne.

Cork: D Og Cusack; J Browne, S Barrett, F Ryan; M Landers (0- 1), M Cahill, D Murphy; A Walsh, M Daly (0-2); A Cummins, F McCormack (0-1), R Dwane; K Murray (0-2), A Browne (0-1), B Egan (0-3). Sub: M O'Connell (0-3) for Cummins, P Ryan for Cahill, J Deane for Murray.

Referee: J Walsh (Kilkenny).