NEW BRIGHTON 15 ALTRINCHAM KERSAL 15

Report by Doug Thorpe

To the non partisan spectator an honourable draw would seem to have been a fair result to this keenly fought contest. However, for the Blues and their supporters, including some 120 New Brighton Past Players who had gathered for the annual reunion, it was tinged with more than a little disappointment as the home side had scored the only two tries in the game and then with barely three minutes to go had grabbed the lead with a Anthony Birley penalty goal. Only to have the prize snatched away by a conceding a penalty, converted by Sean Rogers on the final whistle.

Altrincham Kersal kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs. New Brighton immediately mounted an attack from deep, carried it well into the A.K. half, a break by Mafi looked to promise an early score but his attempted chip did not come off and the opportunity was lost. Altrincham Kersal responded with some expansive play to put New Brighton under pressure, forcing the defence to concede a penalty and putting themselves three points ahead via to the boot of Sean Rogers on seven minutes.

The New Brighton defence was constantly tested by the visitors who were always ready to give the ball plenty of air and made good use of the strong breeze at their backs to kick for attacking positions. Never the less, the line was not breached and A.K. only added to their score with a second penalty goal on 32 minutes. The half reached a crescendo in the final minutes as the Altrincham Kersal, trying to counter the Blues trademark drive for the line, lost both No 8 Dylan O’Grady and second row Steven Richardson to yellow cards before Anthony Birley sailed through near the post, converted the try and New Brighton would start the second half  7 points to 6 ahead and a wind advantage.

It was never going to be that easy. Altrincham Kersal were back in the lead with a penalty on 42 minutes before New Brighton swept back with a well worked move rounded off by Paul Lewis to reverse the order to put the Blues back ahead by 12 points to 9. The Blues defence came under severe pressure over the following 10 minute spell but despite losing Loa Tupou, Nick Aldesley and Sean Ellis to yellow cards in rapid succession it still held out. Not succeeding in forcing a try against a depleted opposition the visitors settled for pulling level with a penalty goal on the hour.

They might have thought it all over as Birley parted the posts with a penalty on 67 minutes but Altrincham Kersal still stormed back. A fluffed clearance by the Blues allowed the visitors to hold their position, a desperate though illegal defensive manoeuvre was spotted by the referee and then Rogers made no mistake to make sure that it really was all over.

Team Sheet: 15. Nick Aldersey, 14. Ian Ahern, 13. Simione Mafi, 12. Sean Ellis, 11. Andy Signal, 10. Antony Birley, 9. Semi Tulikifanga (Neil Cross), 1. Paul Lewis (Conan Grehan), 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Mark Dorrington, 4. Paul Roberts , 5. Keith Mahon, 6. Adam Pitt, 7. Kieran Hibbs, 8. Loa Tupou

Photos

VALE OF LUNE 22 NEW BRIGHTON 19

Report by Paul Lewis

A few weeks ago I listed the factors that would influence this league I neglected to mention the M6 Motorway.

The team gathered at 10.30am and held on until 11am for the arrival of a particular player but were obliged to leave without him. Picking up players on route including one poor South Sea islander suffering from exposure at Junction 7 we reached the M6 at 11.25pm and anticipated our arrival would be around 1pm.

We arrived shortly before 2pm which was bad enough for the players but the Chairman, who had regaled us all regarding the merits of the steak and kidney puddings that awaited us was on the edge of a Guinness absence induced coma. Fortunately our hosts had plenty of puddings stashed away and we managed to mainline 3 pints of the black stuff into the chairman.

The players meantime were looking apprehensively towards the car park entrance, the kit had been sent on ahead but had some how got seriously behind, the prospect of naked rugby was mentioned but quickly dismissed

News was filtering through that the motorway, already reduced to a single lane in places, was now completely shut due to a crash.

Players who had subscribed to the ‘I’ll make my own way there’ banner were still unaccounted for as the physio checked the cars onto the car park like a war time squadron leader checking in his returning bombers.

At 2.25 Mark ‘Ginger’ Standish and Al ‘Biggles’ Lewis landed with the kit, the card and the jelly beans, we were still in with a chance. Birls touched down shortly afterwards and we were up to 16 men.

A hurried warm up and change and we took the field.

Not a great game, missed opportunities, players out of position, two injuries reduced us to 14 men and yet with a tad of luck we could have snatched it at the end. All credit to Vale of Lune who deserved the win if only for a 15 minute purple patch in the first half .

The journey home was considerably smoother for various reasons, the 'particular player’ was found to have been ‘unavoidably detained’ and we still have one lad on the northbound carriageway of the M6 who is yet to arrive at V of L, we can only hope they have saved him a steak and kidney pudding.

The seconds were victorious at home.

Next week we are at home to Altrincham Kersal, K.O. is 3.00 pm (K.O. times change to 2.15 pm after Nov 1st) -  the coach for Aspatria the following week will be leaving shortly after the final whistle.

 

NEW BRIGHTON 18 TYLDESLEY 5

Report by Doug Thorpe

A Paul Lewis penalty goal in the first minute gave New Brighton a lead which they stubbornly refused to relinquish as they struggled to generate any momentum in what was a hard fought but easily forgettable first half.

Individuals shone briefly. Simione Mafi is quick to exploit a gap but always the promising move was frittered away until the dying minutes of the game when Kati was on hand to take the pass and return it smoothly for the centre to score an excellent try. Scrum half Semi Tulikifanga is always ready to give it a go, but his replacement Neil Cross, who came on in the second half, managed to bring the backs into the game with more effect. He also took over the kicking duties with a successful penalty goal and conversion. The lineout worked well with Phil Buckley consistently finding the excellent Tevita Liku at No 6 in the line. Andy Signal scrambled over for a second half try at the end of a multiphase move and one of the rare periods of continuity in the game. He was also notable for a ferocious well timed tackle in the first half which took his opponent out big style. It is those tackles which created loose balls which can be made to turn a game.

One minute into the second half Neil Cross increased the lead with a penalty but 15 minutes later that was reduced to a single point as wing Zac Sergent scored an unconverted try for the visitors. Andy Signal restored the lead on the hour but with the score 11 - 5 and play so unpredictable, there was always the possibility that Tyldesley could pull it off with a converted try. Mafi’s excellent try, converted by Cross, at the close settled it all.

It was one of those frustratingly untidy games in which both sides seem to be hampered by having to make do with very slow ball. The following statistics provide some clues:- Penalties: 23, Scrums: 36, Line Outs: 26, Stoppages: 17 and that on top of an unwelcome and unrecorded number of turn-overs. The one statistic N.B. can be pleased about is the final score.

Team: 15. Nick Aldersey, 14. Andy Signal, 13. Simione Mafi, 12. Sean Ellis, 11. Vinnie Dutton, 10. Ian Ahern, 9. Semi Tulikifanga (Neil Cross), 1. Paul Lewis, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. John Williams, 4. Joe Sale (Loa Tupou), 5. Paul Roberts, 6. Kieth Mahon (Mike Gazzola), 7. Tevita Liku, 8. Kati Tuipulotu

SANDBACH 36 NEW BRIGHTON 23

 

Report by Paul Lewis

Injuries, work commitments, holidays and social arrangements will decide the outcome of this league. On best day form anyone of ten clubs could win it but it is the team that will be able to week in week out maintain a regular XV which will prove dominant.

New Brighton started well yesterday with the slope advantage they took the lead with a well taken penalty in the first minute from Birley and although the home side replied shortly afterwards were soon back in front with another from the Blues stand off.

The home side were on the back foot and for a while it looked like last weeks form was continuing despite the many enforced changes and the scores being levelled on 20 minutes from another penalty for the home side.

The Blues went ahead with a well taken try from Mahon in the 25th minute. The forwards had driven the ball into mid field and were held on the 22 when Mahon rolled from the maul and took off towards the line at speed; the full back briefly threatened to stop the big fella in his tracks but was brushed aside to allow a touch down close to the posts. The conversion was surprisingly missed but the Blues remained dominant and looked like they were going to add to their score until the home side were gifted a try on the left wing following some weak defensive work. The conversion was made and the Blues found themselves behind for the first time going into the interval at 13 -11 down.

It is often the case that the first ten minutes of the second half can prove decisive and the home side came out with all guns blazing, making good use of the slope their pack raised their game and began to dominate proceedings. Their backs, with more of the ball, grew in confidence and the Blues looked like they might be in for a long afternoon.

Mahon, who had been the dominant loose forward suffered a recurrence of the neck injury which saw him missing for the past couple of weeks and had to go off. Shortly afterwards the home side made good use of a piece of luck charging down an attempted clearance to extend their lead in the 52nd minute, the conversion made it 20 -11. Moments later Andy Signal was forced from the field with a facial injury, allowing for the introduction of new signing, Irishman, Ian Ahern.

Now struggling in the tight the Blues attempted to change the game plan and began to throw the ball around with a cavalier attitude, unfortunately there were too may dropped passes and wrong lines being run which inevitably led to turn over’s to the home side. From one such move on the 70th minute the home side picked up and scampered down field, the outside centre drew the full back and passed inside to allow a walk in try easily converted.

With 10 minutes to go and the scores standing at 25 -16 the Blues threw all caution to the wind and raised their game, they came close to scoring twice before Ahern on the right wing received his first touch of the ball, he stepped inside dummied to his right then broke left to cross the white wash and score on his debut.

With the scores at 25 – 16 and the Blues slowly coming back into the game the home side were awarded a penalty which was well kicked to restore a healthy lead.

All credit to the home side who could have closed down the game but continued to try and run the ball, and it seemed to be all over when the home side breached the back line once again on 78 minutes, the conversion made it 33 - 16.

With both sides tiring each seemed capable of scoring when ever they had the ball; the final try, the best of the afternoon, went to the Blues in the fourth minute of injury time, the forwards drove for the line and sent quick ball out across the backs. Birley passed long to Mafi and the centre, for the first time all afternoon, found himself in space enabling him to accelerate clear and touch down between the posts. The conversion made it 33 – 23 and the crowd were moving towards the bar, however the ref still found time to award a further penalty for the home side and the final score was 36 – 23.

An entertaining game for the neutral, both sides playing some good open rugby, Sandbach, if only for their 20 minute patch in the second half, deserved the points but the score line may have flattered them a little.

New Brighton will need to knuckle down in the next few weeks to make sure their season gets and stays on track, new signings arrive this week and the overall strength of the squad looks promising, but who knows what can happen between now and Saturday…

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The seconds, despite loosing several key players to the ones late on, beat Marple. Both teams take on Tyldesley next week.

NEW BRIGHTON 26 NORTHWICH 14

 

Report by Paul Lewis

 

New Brighton found another gear this week to register their best win of the season, the score line barely reflects their complete dominance in the game.

 

A late cry off caused coach Steve Dorrington to risk new signing Tevita Liku at second row, he was not to be disappointed, the ex-league star proved a right handful at every turn for the visitors with an explosive tackle and a fierce hand off seldom seen at this level.

 

Northwich kicked off with a very strong wind at their backs which forced the Blues to carry throughout the half, the forwards began a relentless hit and drive game in which all eight forwards played their part .Although they forced the visitors deep into their own half they were always able to kick their way out of danger with the trusted boot of Montean.

 

All credit to the Northwich who had very little ball to work with and against the run of play took the lead with a well taken drop goal on 14 minutes; their defence stood firm against some powerful drives and when they extended their lead to 6 from a penalty and then 9 from another drop goal all from Montean it looked briefly that the Blues were in for a frustrating afternoon.

 

The Blues game plan began to work out towards the end of the first half the visiting pack were visibly shaken and slowing, and from yet another drive the ball was flicked across the field for Ellis to draw his man and allow Simpson to fly in from the left wing.

 

Half Time 5 – 9

 

With the wind behind them the Blues set sail into the second half with vigour and intent, Paul Roberts, having his best game yet, stole the ball at the lineout and the forwards rolled determinedly towards the line, held up just inches short they were awarded a scrum. With Lewis, at loose head, proving too strong for old boy Brotherton and Williams at tight dominating Wood the eight surged towards the line, clever play from Kati deciding to keep the ball tight saw the ball on the whitewash, another ex-Blue Gallimour dived in from an obviously offside position and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

 

The simple conversion and a long range penalty from Birley stretched the lead to  15 – 9 when the Blues had a moment of indecision and a mistake in midfield allowed the visitors to at last get their backs into the game and winger Barber scorched clear from 30 metres to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed and the scores stood at 15 – 14.

 

In the 63^rd minute Andy Signal scored a brilliant try in the right corner. Good interplay involving Mafi and Aldersey took the Blues deep into the visitors 22 and only some desperate tackling kept out the supporting back row with Kati and Gazzola combining well. For a moment the forward drive was halted but Signal pounced on a loose ball jinked left then right and powered over from 5 metres to crown a fine afternoon for the winger.

 

The score was 20 -14 and the visitors were, mathematically at least, still in the game until the trusted boot of midfield general Birley extended the lead with two penalties to confirm a well deserved victory.

 

It was difficult to pick out a man of the match all playing their part well on the afternoon, Kati once again led by example, Birley dictated the game but they say every dog has its day and Neil Cross who was making his first team home debut after an 18 year wait was simply magnificent. Any fears that ex Blue Gallimour would run this game were put to rest by a confident and wily display by the veteran number 9, always too clever and talented by half. Well played Neil.

The seconds were also successful at Preston winning 26 -10 .

 

Next week the ones are away at Sandbach, the twos at home to Marple.