Liverpool St Helens 24 – New Brighton 16

 

Report by Stephen Owen

 

Team: 15. Sean Ellis, 14. Vinnie Dutton, 13. Andy Signal, 12. Matthew Hale, 11. Tom Cubbin, 10. Paul Lewis, 9. Alan Hesketh, 1. Joe Cardus, 2. Phil Buckley (Capt), 3. Tevita Haunga, 4. Jez Lamb, 5. Stuart Gratton, 6. George Sale, 7. Kenny Boyd, 8. Katilimoni Tuipulotu

Replacements: 16. Mafi Simione, 17. John Williams, 18. Simon Hill

 

Once again the scoreboard only partially tells the story of this hard fought game at Moss Lane.   With the result in the balance right up until the final whistle, New Brighton went down to their first defeat in three games. 

 

Optimism was high as New Brighton travelled down the East Lancs Road after wins in the last two matches to face a team three places and six points above them at the start of the day. In the corresponding fixture in December 2009 this game was over by half time as Liverpool St Helens racked up a substantial lead. 

 

In glorious sunshine, Liverpool St Helens full back Greg Smith kicked his side into an early second minute lead only for New Brighton to respond in the best way possible with a try for Sean Ellis converted by Paul Lewis. What a difference a year makes.  Sean and Paul are two players who featured in this fixture twelve months ago in a much changed New Brighton side showing ten changes of personnel from the game at Moss Lane in December 2009 when LSH were four places and four points above New Brighton. New Brighton were then fortunate that a dropped pass denied their opponents a clear scoring chance after LSH full back Greg Smith waltzed through a number of attempted tackles.

 

LSH’s solid and well drilled pack of forwards applied the pressure with a series of scrums near to the New Brighton line resulting in a try out wide. With the resultant conversion missed, the rest of the first half was a fairly evenly fought contest in which LSH full back Greg Smith increased their lead with a penalty. As half time approached, New Brighton were well in contention and some strong driving play and attempts to move the ball wide were rewarded by a penalty struck by Paul Lewis.

 

Half time score: Liverpool St Helens 11 – New Brighton 10

 

The second half opened with Mafi replacing Vinnie Dutton for New Brighton and shortly after, only a great covering tackle by Joe Sale saved the day after some slick handling by the LSH backs threatened the New Brighton line. 

 

LSH have had some mixed results so far this season but always seem to have a solid, well drilled set of forwards and direct running backs who handle well and it was one of these LSH backs, winger, Ian Stanley who then scored after running through a number of attempted tackles. Full back Greg Smith obliged with the extras. This was a crucial phase of the game with the score line at 18 – 10 as LSH endeavoured to pull away but were unable to do so. On the touchline, Tony Probert called for New Brighton leaders to show themselves and “fill the pitch” as a dogged New Brighton refused to buckle and stuck to the task in determined fashion. A further replacement was introduced by LSH and shortly after New Brighton were adjudged to have gone over the top at a ruck and, once again, LSH full back Smith eased the pressure with a penalty goal.

 

As the clock ticked down a frantic period of play saw both sides sensing the closeness of the game. During this period of intensity, referee Mr Newton saw fit to award a yellow card to New Brighton. The Blues replaced Kenny Boyd with John Williams and stormed up the field with a great run by winger Andy Signal which was only stopped illegally by LSH resulting in a yellow card for the offender. The resultant pressure kick penalty was scored for New Brighton by Paul Lewis bringing the Blues to touching distance at 21 – 13.

 

The game was still in the balance as a strong LSH move was repelled and New Brighton just missing a penalty following an infringement by LSH. With six minutes remaining the ball was spun across the New Brighton line reaching front row forward John Williams whose chip kick forward resulted in a penalty being awarded to the Blues. Up stepped Paul Lewis to bring New Brighton to within five points of their opponents and a deserved bonus point but in the final seconds yet another penalty was conceded to allow LSH to extend their lead with the last kick of the game.

 

Jez Lamb shook off the moth balls to show he has a few seasons left in him and gave a solid performance, new boy Kenny Boyd was impressive in the back row and Simon Hill at last back from injury had a brief but eye catching game at prop.

 

Final Score: Liverpool St Helens 24 – New Brighton 16.

 

The seconds continued their march up the table with another win in which Adam Pitt shone.

 

The Firsts are away at Vale of Lune next Saturday with an 11am meet and 11.30am departure, supporters wishing to travel should contact Paul Lewis Snr ASAP

New Brighton 12 Leigh 5

 

Report by Paul Lewis

New Brighton appear to have finally got their season under way with a second win in as many weeks. The side seem to be settling into position and have developed an effective strategy that is likely to thwart most teams in the division.

Paul Lewis kicks the Blues into a 3-0 lead

Playing against the wind in the first half the Blues defence was tested time and again but not found wanting, Buckley and new signing Gratton making some decisive tackles. The visitors had a strong pick-and-drive game which was never quite enough to undo the home defence. The Blues back division whilst not as quick as the visitors made more of the ball and were far slicker with their passes.

A Leigh attack is met by a solid New Brighton defence

A break out from the home 22 saw Gaz Simpson with the ball on the left wing making a deep inroad into the visitors half, the resultant scrummage from the breakdown led to a penalty for the home side and Lewis put the Blues in front.

Alan Hesketh prepares to put the ball into a scrum...

...and again

A tightly fought but fair contest ensued to the interval with both sides picking up injuries to stretch out the half but there was to be no further score.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 3 – 0 Leigh

If the visitors had failed to make use of the wind the Blues had no doubt as to how they were going to play the second half with both half backs making good use of the conditions to push the visitors back to their 22. Although coming close on several occasions the Leigh defence was solid and it was left to the boot of stand off Lewis to make it 6 then 9 nil before the visitors rallied in the final quarter . By then Mahon had once more been forced off with a hamstring problem to be replaced by Kati, and John Williams gave way to Mike Gazzola, Gaz Simpson picked up a thigh strain and was replaced by Mafi.

Paul Lewis takes on the Leigh defence with support of centres Matt Hale and Simione Mafi

The Blues were getting a steady supply of ball from the lineout where Joe Sale was outstanding winning several balls against the head and for most of the half were encamped in the visitors half but were kept out by some excellent cover tackling. Vinny Dutton came closest but was just held up as he chased down another probing kick.

Our first ever lady ref awards a penalty at a ruck

In the 79th minute the Blues were penalised for diving in at the ruck and a quickly taken penalty allowed for a surging run up the right wing from the visiting wing who found ready support from his back row forwards, the Blues didn’t quite manage to get enough players back and the visitors crossed the whitewash to make it 9-5, the conversion was missed.

The Blues apply pressure to keep Leigh pinned in their own 22

As tension mounted off the pitch the Blues upped the tempo and the visitors never looked dangerous again, a fourth penalty by Lewis from the 10m line took the score to 12 – 5 and the game was settled.

Another close game by these two well matched sides.

The Blues watch as Paul Lewis slots another penalty with the final kick of the game

Final Score: New Brighton 12 – 5 Leigh

 

Kirkby Lonsdale 13 New Brighton 18

 

Report by Paul Lewis

Any of the dozen or so Blues supporters who made the long trip north for this one expecting a try feast were always in for a disappointment. Something about a wounded tiger comes to mind for the home side had much to prove and everything to play for. If this was not to be a brief stay in NW1 then Saturday had to be a turning point. It was not to be for the home side but with a full strength side prepared to give their all they showed there might be some hope yet.

The Blues opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Joe Sale, on as blood replacement for Haunga, picked up the off load from stand off Lewis and delivered a pin-point pass to Simione Mafi who raced away to touch down close to the posts. Lewis added the conversion.

The home side with a couple of powerful locks began to claw their way back into the game and although the Blues were claiming most of the possession they came under increasing pressure, Matt Hale at centre blasted way at the defence all afternoon but was unable to breach the line, in the 15th minute he was penalised for holding on and the Kirkby Lonsdale fullback Hind stepped up to make it 3 - 7.

The Blues kicked themselves into the home 22 and from a well taken catch by Roberts in the line a slick passage of play ensued with the ball criss crossing the field before young prop Joe Cardus scampered over to extend the lead to 12-3.

Further scores at this point may have put paid to the opposition but it was not to be and the Blues back line were increasingly frustrated by a mobile back row. A number of rucks and mauls developed in which the Blues committed too many men and the effect was to slow the game. A turn over at one such melee saw the young Kirkby Lonsdale stand off Cleary send the ball down field; what should have been a simple bread and butter clearance for either the wing or full back turned into a Chuckle Brothers moment and the home side crossed the whitewash through Galbraith, Hind made the conversion and the score was now 10-12.

It was then the Blues turn to be rocked and the home side stepped up a gear and could have taken the lead but for resolute tackling from Buckley and Mahon.

In the closing minutes of the half the referee adjudged a scrum put in from Hesketh to be not straight and Hind again stepped up to slot home from the 10 metre line.

Half Time Score: Kirkby Lonsdale 13 – 12 New Brighton

The now buoyant home support roared on the start of the second half and the home side came out with all guns firing but thanks to some smart coverage from full back Ellis were unable to breach the Blues line. A maul close to the halfway line led to a penalty for the Blues and Lewis stepped up to restore the lead.

Credit to the home side who were always in this game and but for some dropped passes could have retaken the lead. Despite winning plenty of ball the Blues were never able to give a steady delivery, harassed in the line and pushed back at the scrum until the final 10 minutes which saw the return of Kati Tuipolotu following an injury to Andy Wall. The general gathered his troops and what had been a loose collection of flesh suddenly became a rod of iron, the lineout was won held and driven on for 30 metres at a time, the balance of the game swung back to the Blues and in the closing minutes Lewis kicked a long range drop goal which, finally, silenced the home crowd.

Final Score: Kirkby Lonsdale 13 – 18 New Brighton