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New Brighton Football Club (R.U.) |
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January Match Reports Season 2001-2002 |
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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Darlington Mowden Park 19 - 39 New Brighton
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Report: New Brighton came through a tough test to beat Darlington 19-13 in County Durham on Saturday and are now relishing the chance to face league leaders Doncaster at Reeds Lane on Saturday. "This was a magnificent performance from the team. There is still much to be done, but things are coming together as our rebuilding continues to pick up pace." said Blues Director of Rugby Alistair Saverimutto after Saturdays victory. Saverimutto went on to urge Wirral fans to turn out in force for next weeks big game. "My call is for rugby fans to turn out in great numbers on Saturday and get right behind the team. Our ground was once called 'Fortress Reeds Lane, lets do that again this week and really give Doncaster something to think about. There's time to watch the international, on the big screen in the club after our match." New Brighton 3 - 0 Tynedale on 11 minutes Building on their early success New Brighton launched a power play from a line out won in the visitors 22. Emrys Evans grabbed the first of his two scores from a rolling maul that is again becoming a Reeds Lane trademark play since the return of Steve Dorrington to the coaching staff. Brett failed with the kick
The Blues experienced a set back even before they left for Darlington on Saturday morning when Marcus Coast was forced to scratch from the team. Saverimutto called Jez Lamb into the back row releasing the ubiquitous Emrys Evans to slot into the centre berth. Playing into the wind, the Blues made a good start to exert some early pressure. Spirits were lifted further when Loa Tupou crashed over to touch down only to be brought back for bumping into one of his own men en route to the line.
Darlington's respite was short lived. New Brighton continued to rack up the early pressure and were rewarded for their efforts when Campbell won a lineout to signal the start of a forward power play driving for the line. The scoring exploits of Emrys Evans since he arrived at Reeds Lane have established the jocular Welshman as a devastating finisher. He did not disappoint his growing army of fans by popping up just at the right time to crash over for the first of his hatrick of tries against Darlington on Saturday. Brett failed with the conversion. Darlington M.P. 0 – 5 New Brighton on 12 minutes The Welsh scoring phenomenon was again in the thick of the action minutes later breaking through the centre, beating the defence to run in for his second try, this time under the posts. Brett added the conversion.
Darlington M.P. 0 - 12 New Brighton on 25 minutes New Brighton continued to enjoy the best of the action especially in the forwards where the Blues pack took on the Mighty Darlington eight to win the forward battle. With forward dominance established by the Blues, disaster struck when Darlington, for once broke free of New Brighton's stranglehold, to put Mattinson in for an unconverted try. Darlington M.P. 5 - 12 New Brighton on 35 minutes The Durham forwards seemed surprised and bewildered by the effort and work rate coming from the Blues pack. It was a crucial element as the Wirral men struck again driving over from a line out for Campbell to score in the dying minute of the first half. Brett failed with the conversion.
Half Time - Darlington 5 - 17 New Brighton Darlington responded to the stern words spoken by their coach during the interval. Just seven minutes after the restart No 8 McKinnon crashed over from a driving play that followed a lineout to score a try converted by Oliphant. Darlington 12 - 17 New Brighton on 47 minutes With battle now firmly engaged both teams slugged it out striving for the upper hand. A defining moment came when Riaz Fredricks broke clear of the defence to race home in mercurial style for a score under the posts. Brett added the conversion. Darlington M.P. 12 - 24 New Brighton on 57 minutes With the decisive blow apparently struck, Emrys Evans was dismissed to the sin bin following a yellow card for a late tackle. The 14 weathered some severe pressure during this period, but the home side failed to take advantage. Recognising the signs, Mr. Saverimutto chose to replace Loa Tupou, who had had a tremendous game, with Adam Kettle on 72 minutes. It was to prove a wise decision as Kettle with his fresh legs made an immediate impact on the game earning a penalty that Brett successful kicked extend the lead. Darlington 12 - 27 on 72 minutes Fresh from his successful training camp with the North of England Students last week, James Moore burst into the action when a chip ahead from Steve O'Connor set up a race for the line in chase for the spinning loose ball. There are few who have the pace of Wirral's new speedster and so it turned out as the youngster raced in to claim a scoring touchdown. Brett failed with the conversion. Darlington M.P. 12 - 32 on 74 minutes The vastly experienced Kevin Oliphant showed a moment of defiance when he broke through to score a try which he also converted. Darlington M.P. 19 - 32 on 77 minutes During his time as a Premiership player, Oliphant proved to be a prodigious scorer against the best in the land, but that was then and this is now. Oliphant's effort did not signal a late Doncaster rally as it was New Brighton's 'Young Guns' who finished the stronger. Sustained play built a good position setting up a half chance for Emrys Evans. The Welsh Wizard needed no more invitations and raced over to score a try converted by Brett, which completed his hat-trick to round off the scoring for the day. FINAL SCORE: DARLINGTON M.P. 19 - 39 NEW BRIGHTON This result was a good one for the Blues taking their recent run of consecutive victories to seven giving further evidence that that Mr. Saverimutto's rebuilding programme is beginning to take shape. Next Saturday, New Brighton remains in the thick of the action when last years captain, Jeff Jones, returns to Reeds Lane with his new top of the table club Doncaster. New Brighton officials have arranged a 2.30 kick off so that fans can see the fascinating New Brighton v Doncaster clash before watching the England v Scotland Six Nations game on the Big screen in the Reeds Lane Clubhouse. MOORE SELECTED FOR NORTH OF ENGLAND STUDENTS James Moore, a PJR Rugby Academy star who is also a first year student at Liverpool University and one of New Brighton's outstanding youngsters, enjoyed a very successful training camp with the North of England Students to be selected in the starting line up for the North team to face Scotland early next month. Chester born James, attended Wirral Grammar School before entering Liverpool University signed for New Brighton last summer. James is another success story for the PJR Wirral Academy who appear, not only to be producing very good league players, but also a string of youngsters capable of achieving representative International honours with Cunningham, Birley, and Kettle also well advanced on the trail for more international caps.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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New Brighton 35 - 5 Tynedale
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Report: New Brighton extended their wining run in all competitions to 6 games in a row following their convincing 35-5 victory over Tynedale at Reeds Lane on Saturday. Kicking off with the wind at their backs the Blues started well determined to avenge the defeat suffered at the hand of the Tynesiders in November. Brett opened New Brightons account with a sweetly struck penalty on 11 minutes. New Brighton 3 - 0 Tynedale on 11 minutes Building on their early success New Brighton launched a power play from a line out won in the visitors 22. Emrys Evans grabbed the first of his two scores from a rolling maul that is again becoming a Reeds Lane trademark play since the return of Steve Dorrington to the coaching staff. Brett failed with the kick New Brighton 8 - 0 Tynedale on 19 minutes Tynedale raised their game with Parker, Johnston and Auld leading the fight back in the forwards. Pounding away with repeated drives on the fringes the Tynesiders pinned the Blues in their 22 for some time. In the event the New Brightons defence was equal to the task as the tackles weighed in to hold the visitors at bay.
Breaking out of defence the Blues ran the ball down centre field, Brett made ground and cleverly chipped the ball into space beyond the defence. As the speeding full back gave chase he was unceremoniously pole axed with a clumsy late tackle. After receiving treatment for the knock, Brett steadied himself sufficiently to score from the resultant penalty. New Brighton 11 - 0 Tynedale on 34 minutes Encouraged by his kicking success, Brett tried another penalty kick several yards inside his own half on 39 minutes. It was a mighty effort that made the distance but just shaved the outside of the upright. Continuing to ring the changes Blues' Chief Alastair Saverimutto selected centre Riaz Fredericks to play at stand off with Coast and O'Conner in the centre and Moore and Murray on the wings. The line succeeded in making several good breaks with Marcus Coast in particular causing problems on the ball. Indeed several promising moves were only thwarted by poor final passes where the ball going to ground and not to hand. It was a frustrating period as the back division accustomed themselves to the rearranged line up.
As the interval approached New Brighton won a lineout deep in Tynedale territory. Coach Dorrington's trademark rolling maul was launched and a sea of bodies crashed over the line. It was points scoring phenomenon Emrys Evans who was last to rise still clutching the ball to claim his second score of the day. Brett added the extras to stretch the Blues into a respectable 18 point interval lead. Half Time - New Brighton 18 - 0 Tynedale
The opening stages of the second period were hotly contested as Tynedale battled to get back into the game. Following a sustained period of Blues pressure a flowing move developed moving out to the right wing. A clever pass from Fredericks sent O'Connor on a charge and the space opened up for the Blues to make good progress. The ball spun back to Fredrick's, who was felled after chipping through. Brett put New Brighton close to the corner with the penalty for the ensuing line out. The play became immediately clear when the maul began to roll forwards from the lineout. This time there were runners driving through on the fringes stretching the defence to the limit. When 19 stone Marko Dorrington arrives at speed to collect the ball close to the line there are few teams in England who could stop him Tynedale are not one of those teams. It was a big cheer that went up to accompany Marko's score, but not the biggest of the afternoon which was reserved for the last play of the game. Brett added the conversion New Brighton 23 - 0 Tynedale on 48 minutes Tynedale hit back when Brett was caught trying to run out of defence following a quick lineout. When the ball spun loose a hopeful Tynedale boot sent it skidding towards the New Brighton line. Shaun Auld won the race to score an unconverted try but, it was little more than a consolation as the Blues began to take control of the game. New Brighton 23-5 Tynedale on 55 minutes Repeated thrusts from New Brighton continued to falter as the final pass went astray, but when Moore found space out wide on the 10 meter line his pace was just too much for the defence as the speeding winger ran in for an impressive unconverted try.
New Brighton 28 - 5 Tynedale Kettle, Turley and Darren Davis came off the bench as Saverimutto took the opportunity to play his substitutes. Blows were exchanged when a forward melee erupted near centre field on the hour. It was a fearsome sight when giant props Dorrington and Parker began to square up to each other but referee Steve Makinson of Bradford immediately settled the issue showing yellow card dispatch both men for 10 minutes to cool off in the sin bin. The best move and largest cheer of the day were reserved for the final play. Starting from deep in their own half New Brighton used the speed of hand to link a series of clever passes that gave Coast the chance to break up field. Fast ball from the ruck progressed the move towards touch line in front of the stand. A lovely interplay between Christian Saverimutto and Anthony Birley took play into the visitors half before Riaz Fredericks raced clear in the centre field.
A despairing ankle tap from a diving defender toppled Fredericks who threw the ball high over Coasts head. The move appeared to be over, but Kettle managed to grab the ball and make further progress. The magnificent site of Titan Carl Turley in full cry brought the crowd to their feet. Turley who had made up over 60 metres with his support run gathered Kettles pass and powered home for a memorable score. Brett added the conversion to complete the afternoons entertainment. Final - New Brighton 35 - 5 Tynedale This was another good win for the Blues as their return to form continuing to pick up momentum. The Wirral men face a tough challenge next week away to high flying Darlington Mowden Park, who were only narrowly beaten at Reeds Lane at the end of December.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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Sandal 11 - 40 New Brighton
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Report: New Brighton continued their winning ways with an emphatic 40-11 victory away at Sandal on Saturday. Kicking off against the gradient on Sandals famous sloping pitch the Blues were immediately put under pressure by a determined Yorkshire pack. Stand off Hardcastle earned an early reward to draw first blood for the hosts with a penalty on 5 minutes. Sandal 3 – 0 New Brighton on 5 minutes The next 10 minutes was tough for the Blues as Sandal threw everything into an effort to increase their lead, but the young Wirral men are learning the lessons of the National League and dug deep to defend their line. New Brighton's determined defense frustrated the Sandal offence and a series of penalties allowed Brett to kick the Blues clear of real pressure. It was fully 15 minutes before New Brighton entered the Sandal half. Growing in confidence Wirral's 'Young Guns' began to turn the screw with a series of flowing plays where the ball was recycled well. Playing the 15 man game that the Blues have been working so hard to produce this season a good position developed giving just a little space for Birley to launch Fredericks and Coast on a stretched defense. When Moore took position on the 10 yard line there was a half chance of a breakthrough. It was all the young winger needed. Showing blistering pace and the eye of a finisher Moore burst through for a peach of a try to warm New Brighton's travelling fans. Brett failed with the conversion. Sandal 3 – 5 New Brighton on 20 minutes Stung by Moore's dazzling effort, Sandal stepped up their game and earned a penalty that Hardcastle kicked to regain the lead for the Yorkshiremen on 25 minutes. Sandal 6-5 New Brighton on 25 minutes The next passage of play may not have been classic, but the Blues did enough to gain penalty opportunities for Brett on 30 and 37 minutes. He did not disappoint, scoring both to regain the lead for the Blues. Sandal 6-11 New Brighton on 37 minutes With half time beckoning New Brighton conjured up what was probably the decisive score of the game. Dorrington, Campbell, Lamb and Davies led the charge as the Blues big men built a good position near the half way line. With Christian Saverimutto skillfully 'Generalling' events at No 9 a sustained passage of open play followed. Moore joined the move injecting pace out wide to split the defence, fast hands from Birley and Fredericks set Marcus Coast up for a long run in. The powerful centre showed vintage style in scoring a very good try. Brett failed with the conversion but the try virtually on the whistle certainly dented the Yorkshiremens confidence. Half Time - Sandal 6 -16 New Brighton New Brighton started the second period as they had finished the first. Brett had an early opportunity to add to the score with a penalty 3 minutes after the restart, but in unaccustomed form missed with the boot. It was not long before the Blues were adding to their tally. Lamb took a good possession from a line out to launch a power play for the line. New Brighton's pack are functioning very much as a unit since the arrival of Steve Dorrington to the coaching squad. A rolling maul gave Emrys Evans the chance to show his scoring instinct as the Welshman crashed over to claim the points. Brett again failed with the conversion. Sandal 6-21 New Brighton on 48minutes The Blues were forced into adjustments on the hour when James Moore picked up a slight injury. Steve O'Connor came in at centre moving Marcus Coast to the wing. Coast is known not to like the wing berth but was immediately in the action with a stunning break that showed what a versatile player he is. Powering through the defence Coast set Anthony Birley up for another very good Blues try. Having no luck at all with the boot Brett failed with the conversion. Sandal 6-26 New Brighton on 62 minutes With the benefit of fresh legs Steve O'Connor chased well to get on the end of a sustained Blues move before accelerating home to score under the posts. It was another good move giving Brett the easiest of conversion. Sandal 6-33 New Brighton on 65 minutes Blues chief Alistair Saverimutto made two substitutions in the following minutes replacing Loa Tupou with Adam Kettle and Paul Campbell with the ever-youthful Carl Turley. By now, the Blues were in total control and another score was bound to follow. In all sports there are those with the famed Jimmy Grieves scorers' knack. Emrys Evans is one such player and it was he who popped up to claim the Blues sixth try of the afternoon. Brett added the conversion to complete New Brighton's 40 point haul away from home. With the game won New Brighton slipped up when a Fredericks kick was charged down Dave Howarth collected the loose ball to score a consolation try for Sandal but the drama was not yet over. To the delight of the travelling fans Steve Dorrington replaced Gerallt Evans for the last few minutes of play.
The front row of Dorrington S., Davies K. and Dorrington M. was a familiar site in New Brighton's glory years. With the 'Young Guns' plundering 40 points away from home in Yorkshire and an impressive home win over Darlington M.P. on the last outing New Brighton could be getting back on song. Steve Dorrington's appearance on the field will be taken as a further sign to the Reeds Lane faithful that the future is bright, the future is Blue. FINAL Sandal 11 - 40 New Brighton
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Under 21 Rugby |
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New Brighton U21 6 - 0 Scottish Exiles Academy
Report: New Brighton U21s scored a 6-0 hard fought win over a talented Scottish Exiles U21s at Reeds Lane on Sunday. Confusion reigned in the early stages of the game with both teams playing in very similar blue and white strips. Players, spectators and the referee struggled to differentiate until a replacement red shirt was provided.
New Brighton started well exerting early pressure with a series of fast well structured moves. The Scots battled hard to protect their line with some fierce talking and resolute defence. Anthony Birley kicked a penalty on 10 minutes as New Brighton continued to enjoy the best of the plays. The Scots found their form as their big forwards began to win more of the possession. The Exiles finished the half with a period of sustained pressure but failed to score as New Brightons defence met the challenge with some fine tackling. On 40 minutes the young Scots had a long range penalty chance but in the event the kick went wide.
Half Time New Brighton 3 - 0 Scottish Exiles For New Brighton half backs Sam Cottrell and Steven Dean stood out with Adam Kettle proving more than a handful at this level.
Birley added a further penalty completing the scoring and securing the win for New Brighton. The result gives further evidence of the progress being made by Wirral's young rugby players. With so many of the team also training with in the Wirral Academy the long term benefits of the Alistair Saverimutto Academy are already paying dividends.
With both teams on the day stacked with talent, pace and power it was a pity that far too frequent use of the whistle prevented the development of any real cohesive play to entertain the crowd in what turned out to be a disappointing game.
FINAL New Brighton 6 - 0 Scottish Exiles
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