New Brighton
Football Club (R.U.)
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New Brighton Football Club (R.U.) |
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February Match Reports Season 2001-2002 |
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New Brighton 23 - 21 Blaydon
Team
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Report: New Brighton continued on winning ways with a 23 – 21 victory over Blaydon on Saturday. Steve Rule, Blues backs coach said, "Blaydon are a very good side. I can't see anyone else in the league causing us as many problems as they did today. I'm very pleased we took the two points." New Brighton lined up without the services of Loa Tupou giving young Adam Kettle a well deserved 1st XV start. Davis, Fredericks and Lamb also presented fitness worries following the double game pressures of the previous weekend. Playing with a gale at their backs, Blaydon posted their intentions in the first minute when England U21 International, James Lofthouse, kicked a penalty to give the Tynesiders an early lead.
New Brighton 0 – 3 Blaydon. After 01 minute
A good break by Jez Lamb from the base of the scrum set the Blues on their way to build a good position out wide. Sustained pressure resulting from good ball retention and clever recycling allowed Sewell to go over for the first try. Brett failed with the conversion on a day when a near gale force wind was going to make kicking something of a lottery. New Brighton 5 – 3 Blaydon. After 9 minutes The contest continued fast and fierce as both teams served up some fine rugby on the day. The bigger Tyneside forwards battered away seeking an opening which did not come. New Brighton's defence was immense with a Lofthouse penalty on 31 minutes the only reward Blaydon earned from a sustained period of attack. New Brighton 5 – 6 Blaydon. After 31 minutes New Brighton hit back with a flowing move along their backs. Emrys Evans chipped ahead and the lightning Moore sped after the ball to outpace the defence. A further chip and chase by the impressive winger gave him a good score out wide. Brett failed with the extras. New Brighton 10 - 6 Blaydon. After 39 minutes With the half entering time added on for stoppages, Blaydon produced a flurry of activity adding two scores in double quick time. Lofthouse kicked an easy penalty on 40 minutes and Johnny Golightly scored a converted try following a good run by No 8 Guthrie.
Half Time: New Brighton 10 – 16 Blaydon Two well taken penalties from Brett levelled the score. New Brighton raised the tempo allowing the athletic Adam Kettle to complete a good score after some clever link play. Brett added the conversion
New Brighton 23 – 16 Blaydon. After 50 minutes The game now built into an exciting climax. Giant second row James Houghton was outstanding for the Tynesiders inspiring the bigger Blaydon forwards to take the ascendancy. As Blaydon pounded the New Brighton line the home defence held firm until the 67th minute when prop George Donohue bullocked his way over for an unconverted try.
New Brighton 23 – 21 Blaydon. After 67 minute Brett came close with a penalty on 69 minutes to effectively signal New Brighton's final scoring threat. With the Blues fading as an attacking force, Blaydon pressed hard to grab a winning score but the defence metalled to hold firm giving no quarter. In the 41st minute of the half Lofthouse took a penalty that could have grabbed a dramatic winner. In the event he came close but the wind denied him the glory as the ball flew wide.
Final - New Brighton 23 – 21 Blaydon
Ironically the Blues have no game this weekend before travelling to Whitchurch in a fortnight. The next action at Reeds Lane will be the visit of the promotion chasing Midlanders Dudley Kingswinford in three weeks. Not surprisingly the talk in the bars after Saturday's game was next months scheduled cup semi final clash between the Blues and Birkenhead Park. Currently the Blues face the prospect of playing two games in two days with their outstanding National League game with Nuneaton set for the 23rd March and the Cup scheduled for Sunday 24th. The debate is set to continue as New Brighton officials seek to persuade Birkenhead and County Authorities to arrange an alternative date for the game. Blues Chairman of Rugby Doug Thorpe said , "It is wrong to ask our lads to play twice in 24 hours. We are offering several alternative dates for the game the fans want to see and a game we are keen to play." In a further twist to the script Birkenhead's game with Broughton Park was called off on Saturday. With RFU precedence giving priority to League games Park too may well be forced to play their outstanding fixture on March 23rd the day before the scheduled cup clash.
The pressures of league rugby have changed the traditional way we look at the Cup", said Mr. Saverimutto, "Clearly more flexibility is needed if senior teams are to continue to contest for the County Cup." A consensus from the fans suggested that most people would like to see the Cheshire County Committee take a lead to resolve the issue, but their record to date would suggest the matter is destined to grind on leaving the clubs to battle for some sort of solution.
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CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL 17th February 2002
NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH 16th February 2002
Consecutive
League and Cup victories completed a winning weekend for New
Brighton despite the obvious difficulty of two games in two
days. Morley were first to feel the power of the Blues in
Saturdays 27 – 16 National League victory for the Wirral
men. Chester at
Reeds Lane were next in the firing line on Sunday, when a
battered and bruised New Brighton showed enough class to
score an impressive 22 – 5 win in the quarter final of the
Cheshire cup. The stage is now set for a showdown semi final
derby clash with neighbours Birkenhead Park. Star fly
half Riaz Fredericks is amongst the injured who must prepare
his battered and bruised body for the visit of Blaydon on
Saturday. Reeds Lane treatment room will be working overtime
this week as the true cost for the Blues playing heroics is
assessed. Blues
Director of Rugby Alistair Saverimutto was quick to pay
tribute to his players after Sundays bruising encounter. “The lads showed tremendous grit and determination to pick themselves
up after a tough game in Yorkshire on Saturday. It’s quite
an achievement to win twice in two days and a credit to the
fitness of the players. In truth they should not have been
asked to lay their bodies on the line twice in twenty four
hours. I trust the authorities will organise things
differently for the semi final.” A fresh New
Brighton raced away from Morley on Saturday to take a 27 –
5 half time lead in their National League clash. Moore
opened the scoring with an early try to set the Blues on
their way. Seeking
to end the competition early, New Brighton piled on the
pressure to set Marcus Coast up for the Blues second try
converted by Brett. Morley
0 – 12 New Brighton 13 minutes Continuing to dominate the play, New Brighton drew a
penalty from a defence under pressure which Brett converted
to open up 13 point lead. Fredericks orchestrated events well at No 10 with a
splendid variety of plays, as the Wirral men emphatically
rammed home their superiority. Further tries came from Moore
and Sewell. Brett added the conversions as New Brighton
stretched to 27 points. Morley responded with a single
unconverted try by Reynolds. Half-time: Morley 5 - 27 New Brighton The second half proved to be a different affair. With the Cheshire Cup game clearly on their minds,
New Brighton took their foot off the accelerator to let the
Yorkshire side into the game. Despite their best efforts
Morley were only able to advance their cause with two
penalties from Sherlock, as the Blues contented to soak up
the best they had to offer. A late unconverted try by Kite
closed to 11 points but in truth New Brighton had put this
result to bed in the first 40 minutes.
FINAL: Morley 16 – 27 New
Brighton Returning
across the Pennines, the Blues prepared for their
controversial second game in two days, against Chester in
the Cheshire Senior Cup. Undoubtedly there was a strained
atmosphere at Reeds Lane when the players ran onto the
field. From the
start, New Brighton played full out not making the mistake
of pacing their effort. The difference between the two teams
was immediately apparent as the Blues sustained their
opening attack. When Campbell took a line out possession the
home forwards drove into Chester with a penetrating power
play that only a penalty infringement halted. Brett made no
mistake with his kick to open the scoring on 4 minutes. New
Brighton 3 – 0 Cheste on 4 minutes. Continuing
to dominate the opening exchanges New Brighton earned a
second penalty some 35 metres out which Brett scored with
some style.
It was all
New Brighton in the first quarter as Chester struggled to
answer the pace, control and power of the National League
team. Chester’s defence was split when Coast broke through
with a penetrating run that threatened a score. Only a last
ditch scrambling effort managed to pull the speeding Coast
down well inside the 22. With
Chester players persistently straying offside, `flopping’
into the rucks to kill the ball and slowing down fast
possession, the penalty count mounted against them. Brett
added his third score with a straightforward kick in front
of the posts. New
Brighton 9 – 0 Chester on 14 minutes At this
point, New Brighton visibly slowed down as the efforts of
the previous day began to take effect.Chester seized the opportunity to raise their game
and with a rare incursion into the Blues half, Ex Reeds lane
favourite, Steve Johnston burst into the line splitting the
defence with an impressive run taking play to the Blues 22.
Adam Kettle showed good pace to make the tackle halting
Johnston. Coast ended the threat with a crunching tackle on
winger and also ex Blues player Julian Williams. The visitors
secured a good position by kicking a penalty deep to win a
lineout just a few metres short of the Blues line. A flurry
of players from the backs joined their forwards in the
ensuing maul as a mass of bodies crashed over the line. Yet
another Ex Blue, Steve Bellis, claiming the try. Farr failed
with the extras. New
Brighton 9 – 5 Chester on 27 minutes Chester’s
Andy Sanderson was sent to the sin bin for stamping.
Industrious scrum half Colin Ellis left the field with an
injury to be replaced by Will Potts. New Brighton fired up
again with a series of impressive plays forcing Chester onto
the back foot. Brett joined the attack running at speed from
a deep position to expose the visitors’ frailties with a
blistering run from the halfway line to score under the
posts. The conversion was a formality as Brett took his
tally to 16 points. New
Brighton 16 – 5 Chester on 39 minutes An incident
involving Potts and Kettle saw both sent to the sin bin.
Brett failed with a difficult penalty effort on 44 minutes
as the game stretched deep into time added on for the many
first half stoppages. Half
Time: New Brighton 16 – 5 Chester Despite
enjoying more of the play in the second period, Chester
seldom looked like unsettling the Blues. Johnston weighed in
with two further challenging runs but was largely on his own
as an attacking threat in a somewhat one-dimensional Chester
team. New Brighton, content to defend their lead always
looked in control. Farr came close with a penalty on 54
minutes but in truth that was the visitors’ only scoring
opportunity Despite the
exertions of the previous day, it was New Brighton who
finished the stronger to pressure the Chester line. Brett
failed with a penalty attempt on 64 minutes but completed a
22 point personal tally with a penalty on 74 minutes. Kettle
was unfortunate to be dismissed with a second yellow card
late in the day and Ellis replaced Woods for the last few
minutes of play. Full
Time:
New Brighton 22 – 5 Chester New Brighton
can take credit from their weekends exploits with the mighty
Carl Turley defying the years to put in two magnificent
performances completing 160 minutes of rugby at the tender
age of 44. Similar heroics were shown by Mark Dorrington who
returned from his game in Yorkshire to complete a 12 hour
night shift on Saturday and quietly left after the Chester
encounter to complete a further 12 hour night shift on
Sunday. The quarter
final of the Cheshire cup should have been a ‘Champagne’
occasion but the issue of forcing New Brighton to play two
games in the two days certainly dampened the spirit of the
event. In credit to Chester a communication was received
from a player last week saying that members of the Chester
team were equally dissatisfied with the arrangements forced
on New Brighton. With the possibility of a similar situation
arising for the semi final clash between The Blues and
Birkenhead Park, county officials might do well to
reconsider their position of intransigence that certainly
marred this occasion. Next Saturday New Brighton
entertain 6th placed Blaydon in a National League game KO
2.30.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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West Hartlepool 19 - 41 New Brighton
9th February 2002
Team Sheet : West: Walton, Thomas, Kerr, Thompson, Hodgson, Connolly [capt], Tighe, Cholmondeley, Cullinane, Cook, Webb, Davies, Sawyer, Baggs, Bennett. Replacements: Wright, Masshedar, Rudd, Tones. New Brighton:15. Paul Brett, 14. Anthony Birley, 13.Emrys Evans, 12 .Steve O'Connor, 11. James Moore, 10.Riaz Fredericks, 9. Christian Saverimutto, 1. Mark Dorrington, 2.Karl Davies, 3, Gerallt Evans, 4. Paul Campbell, 5.Carl Turley, 6.Loa Tupou, 7. Jez Lamb, 8.Jon Sewell. Replacements: 16. Adam Kettle, 17. Darren Davies, 18. Jay Stirrett, 19.Sam Cottrell
New Brighton made the long trip to Teeside on Saturday to comfortably defeat West Hartlepool 19 – 41 in this National League North 2 encounter. Despite a spirited performance from the home team the Blues always had this game under control and were worthy victors. Carl Turley opened the scoring following a mighty effort from the Blues pack with a push over try. Brett added the conversion. New Brighton repeated the medicine on 15 minutes with another push over score, this time going to Emrys Evans. Brett reliably added the conversion. Playing into the wind the Blues continued to dominate setting Steve O’Connor up for a well taken try just five minutes later. This time Brett failed with the extras. West Hartlepool 0 – 19 on 20 minutes The once mighty West Hartlepool have experienced a dramatic fall from the
The
once mighty West Hartlepool have experienced a dramatic fall from the heights in recent seasons, but they showed spirit and
resistance when Davy
Tighe fed Jamie Connolly from a penalty 25 metres out to
send Darren Thomas in for a score in the right hand corner.
Blues Tongan flanker Loa Toupou picked up his second yellow
card in two weeks to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin.
In
recent weeks the Blues have becoming accustomed to playing a
man short and made light work of the disadvantage to set
Anthony Birley up for a score out wide. Brett failed with
the extras. New Brighton improved West’s chances further
when James Moore was sent to the sin bin following a tackle
on Darren Thomas. Grabbing their opportunity West surged up
field for Michael Walton to score in the right hand corner.Walton
converted his try with a fine touchline kick across the wind
to complete the first half scoring. Half-time West 12 New Brighton 24 With the wind at their backs New Brighton held the whip hand and converted their advantage with further tries from Evans, O’Connor and Moore. Brett converting once. A fighting effort from the Teesiders gave them the last word with Tim Sawyer try converted by Walton FINAL WEST 19 – 43 BLUES
CUP STORM BREWING The question on every ones lips after the Game on Saturday was not the
game with West Hartlepool, but the impossible position
awaiting New Brighton players who face two games in two days
next weekend following a mid week ruling from Cheshire RFU. Re-arranged fixtures face New Brighton with 1st and 2nd XV
National League game against Morley and Otley next Saturday.
On their return to the Wirral the Blues must raise a team to
face Chester, in Sundays scheduled quarter final of the
Cheshire Senior Cup, just 24 hours after their league
exploits in Yorkshire. Following an agreement made last summer with other Wirral clubs, New
Brighton made a policy decision not to run colts and junior
sides. Concentrating on their senior side was viewed as
supporting other clubs by allowing talented players to
register with other teams. “In the past when New Brighton ran lots of teams we could cope with the demands of cup and league fixtures on the same weekend ” Said Blues Director of Rugby Mr. Alistair Saverimutto. “Under normal circumstances we have the playing staff to be able to accommodate Cheshire Cup games, but next Saturday all our playing staff are involved with two tough National League games. Let’s not forget that, amongst others, Alan Hesketh and Christian Jones were released by us to go to Birkenhead Park, with Julian Williams, Richard Moore and Steve Johnston going to Chester already this season. In the last round of the cup New Brighton fielded a young second string
line up against Stockport and were able to scramble a narrow
victory. With all their players in action next Saturday this
option is not open to them. Chester with a free weekend have no such problems but, as an ambitious
club realising the Blues problems have understandably
refused to switch to a midweek date. New Brighton chiefs
sought assistance from the Cheshire Cup Committee and were
told that the Cup game would have to be played on designated
Sunday. Anxious to fulfil Cup and League commitments the Blues sought
clarification from the RFU on president and protocol. The
RFU confirmed that National League fixtures, even on
rearranged dates, take precedent over local cup
competitions. A further communication from reeds Lane to
Cheshire RFU Executive committee was sent last week
requesting the assistance of the Counties Senior Executives
to mediate. In the event the Cheshire Executive endorsed the
decision of the Cup Committee, effectively compelling the
Blues cup team to play two games in two days or scratch from
the competition Despite their best endeavours for reason and compromise New Brighton
appear to have no option but to pick a cup team from the
same squad of players who will have played National League 1st
and 2nd XV Northern League fixtures just 24 hours
earlier. If they do go ahead with the fixture the Blues
could well be rounding up what fit players they have on
Sunday morning to field a cup team for the same afternoon. “It really is a serious dilemma” added
Mr Saverimutto, “Why we can’t play the game under
lights midweek defies reason. We must fulfil our National
League fixtures. Our 1st XV game with Morley has
to be played and we can do nothing to risk our status in the
2nd XV League as it is imperative for the
development of our emerging players. Blues front line management have maintained a dignified silence in the
face of this very difficult problem, but fans and supporters
are reported to be furious that their team are being treated
in this way. New Brighton Director Dave Wilcox said: “I’m greatly saddened by
the intransigence of the Cheshire Executives. New Brighton
have made huge strides forward developing the quality of
Wirral and Cheshire rugby and fully supported the County,
not the least of which was our contribution of 9 from our
squad that helped Cheshire lift the County Championship
Trophy at Twickenham just two seasons ago.” “ This really is a
shameful way to reward New Brighton’s effort. Serious
injury is more than likely should we field battered and
bruised players from games played just 24 hours before.
Common sense and fairness dictate that the game should be
played midweek under lights. The Cheshire committee stance
flies in the face of RFU dictate that players should have a
minimum of 48 hours between games and quite simply defies
reasoned logic.” New Brighton players were asked for their views on the issue and they
wanted to play the game. “Having
a free day on Saturday certainly gives Chester a clear
advantage, but the lads want to play and we will see what
happens” said Mr Saverimutto.
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New Brighton 19 - 20 Doncaster
Team
Sheet
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Report: New Brighton's winning run came to an end in the cruellest of fashions when Richard Poskitt's 45 metre drop kick was adjudged to have cleared the crossbar to give Doncaster a 20-19 win fully seven minutes into injury time. New Brighton and their fans were devastated by the result but in truth they can take great heart from this performance as this was a truly titanic struggle that on the balance of play the Blues should have won. In near perfect conditions, with the pitch a credit to the Reeds Lane ground staff after the recent storms, New Brighton kicked off and immediately went on the attack. Top of the table Doncaster, playing with the confidence of the Champions elect to run the ball back at the Blues. It was a mistake as a highly charged New Brighton pack tore into them with fierce opening tackles that kept the Yorkshiremen pinned in their 22. When Doncaster at last chose to relieve the pressure with a touch kick they fared no better. Campbell collected well from a beautiful throw from Davies. The New Brighton eight went into a familiar Dorrington inspired driving maul to make good ground. Christian Saverimutto at No 9 called for the ball and cleverly switched play onto the blind side to fine the speeding Brett making a deep run. To the delight of the home fans Brett powered in for his first score out wide on just 4 minutes New Brighton 5 – 0 Doncaster on 4 minutes
With the Blues back row of Sewell, Lamb and Tupou on fire the visitors had no respite as the game was taken right back to them. Brett had a difficult chance to increase the home lead with a penalty from virtually the halfway line after 14 minutes. It was a worthy effort bouncing back from the cross bar. It did nothing to deflate the home teams enormous effort as they continued to totally dominate all phases of play. Brett made up for his earlier miss when he scored from penalties on 24 and 27 minutes.
New Brighton came close to breaching the Doncaster defence on several occasions none closer than when they launched a sustained attack that gave Loa Tupou room to break through before feeding O'Conner who linked with Brett, who again had made a beautiful deep run to scythe through the defence only to be brought down by some desperate tackling just feet short of a score. It was difficult to see how Doncaster had scored 51 points against the Blues earlier this season so much was the dominance New Brighton were showing in all phases. It was on 33 minutes that disaster struck when Paul Campbell was shown the yellow card and dispatched to the sin bin for a 10 minute rest. Siezing the advantage of the extra man Doncaster began to build some pressure of their own but in truth hardly looked like scoring until referee Seeley reduced the Reeds Lane line up to just 13 men when he sent Loa Tupou to the sin bin on 36 minutes. Seizing their advantage the league leaders threw everything at the New Brighton 13, but everything they tried was met with fierce resistance from the Blues pack. Dorrington and Turley provided the weight with Davies, Evans, Lamb and Sewell refusing to take a backward step. Fredericks marshalled the backs brilliantly as the thin blue line looked as if it would hold until the interval.
In the dying seconds of the half a chip ahead made more in hope than design, took a deflection wrong footing New Brighton's defence. Doncaster captain Chris Conway was fast in chase of the ball as it spun over the line and won the race for the touchdown. Ex Leicester and England International John Liley added the conversion to complete the first half scoring Half Time: New Brighton 11 – 7 Doncaster Starting the half with just 13 men New Brighton made a good start. Fredericks, visibly relishing the challenge, powered through the defence with a half break to link with Brett, who had again come from so deep no one had picked up his run, to carry the ball deep into the Doncaster half. It was inspirational stuff from the Blues who were playing the league leaders out of the game. Brett came close with a penalty kick on 43 minutes as the pressure continued to mount ion Doncaster. With Campbell and Tupou back on the field and the Blues line up restored to 15 men New Brighton racked up the pressure still further. Following some fine build up play O'Connor stood up well in a tackle to cleverly feed the ball to Frederick's. The No 10 was away again cutting through the tackles in majestic style to the roars of the home crowd. Having made the ground Frederick's threaded a beautiful pass to Coast who powered over for the try. Brett failed with the conversion New Brighton 16 – 7 Doncaster on 47 minutes For one not knowing the teams it would be easy to mistake New Brighton as the title contenders so convincing was their all round game. Man of the match Fredericks came so very close to adding to the score when he chose to chip the ball past Jeff Jones to set up a one on one race to the line. In the event Jones smothered the ball to thwart the score. Doncaster then fired a prophetic warning. Breaking from deep in their own 22 Niarchos set Poskett and Mortimer away on a flowing counter attack. At the visitors sped over the halfway line with the defence outflanked and the overlap seeming certain to score, Christian Saverimutto ghosted in to steal an interception before setting off on a run of his own to prevent the try. The game continued to keep the crowd on their feet as the players served up another classic D-day encounter between these two great northern rivals. Brett added a further penalty to extend the lead on 56 minutes and Moore set the crowd alight with a 40 metre sprint to pass the defenders chasing a kick ahead. The flying winger appeared to have touched down but such was his pace that referee and linesman were way behind the play and amidst their doubt a try was not awarded. It was a defining moment. Had the score been awarded New Brighton would surely have been too far ahead even for the fire power of Doncaster to haul them back. In the following minutes Brett failed with two further penalty attempts and Moore was adjudged to have put a foot in touch when rounding the defence for a probable score.
It was all the encouragement Doncaster needed. With Blues fans protesting a series of controversial decisions from referee Seeley the Yorkshiremen began the fight back that had seemed so improbable for full 66 minutes of play. Following a series of quick tap penalties Doncaster releaved the pressure to progress out wide into the New Brighton half. A further penalty saw them drive down the right wing before launching a sweeping move right across the field stretching the defence to breaking point as Chris Conway sprinted for the corner. Coast, Brett and Tupou made magnificent efforts to get to the Doncaster captain but they were in vain as the flying wing scored out wide. Liley missed with the extras but Doncaster were back in the game. New Brighton 19 – 12 Doncaster on 69 minutes The apparently ageless Carl Turley was replaced by Adam Kettle with Anthony Birley coming on for Steve O'Connor as Blues chief Alistair Saverimutto tried everything to revive his tiring team. Following another series of controversial penalties Doncaster won a line out in the Blues 22. Giant lock Roland White collected to set up the maul and drive for the line. Tackle followed tackle as Doncaster's big man pounded away for the score. In the event it was mighty prop forward Andrew Fish who scrambled and stretched over for the score. Liley failed with the conversion as the teams lined up for the final chapter of this pulsating game. New Brighton 19 – 17 Doncaster on 79 minutes Digging deep the New Brighton men launched an attack down centre field and were making good ground only to see yet another penalty halt their progress. With the play flowing end to end the clock moved on to near 7 minutes of time added on when yet another penalty gave Doncaster the ball just in the New Brighton half. With the defence holding firm Yorkshire centre Richard Poskitt fired a hopeful drop goal. It was the last kick of the game. The ball flew long and straight and passed through the uprights. With fans on both sides holding their breath to learn if it was under or over the bar referee Seeley hesitated for a moment before signalling the score that denyed the Blues a famous win in the cruellest of ways. The Doncaster players leapt embracing each other before swamping Poskitt in a sea of bodies as they celebrated their victory. FINAL New Brighton 19 – 20 Doncaster Amidst scenes of jubilation from the Yorkshire players and fans the Wirral players and fans were devastated when the whistle sounded to confirm the kick and signal their defeat, but in truth New Brighton should take great heart from this game. They were equal to and arguably better than the league leaders for 68 minutes of this game. They have put together an tremendous mid season run of results since early October, when another injury time penalty snatched victory from them away to Liverpool St. Helens. The return of Steve Dorrington to join Alistair Saverimutto's coaching team is having huge impact on the side. It was also interesting to see another of the Blues favourite sons Pete Buckles on in the coaching dug out on Saturday. New brighton are back and with so many youngsters in their ranks the next 18 months promises to be a fascinating time inj the fortunes of Wirral's premier rugby club. Next week New Brighton travel to Teesside to take on once Premiership giants West Hartlepool. Paul Campbell, who collected his third yellow card of the season, will be serving his mandatory 1 match suspension and will have to sit this one out.
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