New Brighton
Football Club (R.U.)
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New Brighton Football Club (R.U.) |
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September Match Reports Season 2001-2002 |
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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NUNEATON 3 - 23 NEW BRIGHTON
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New Brighton's win away from home was a good result for the Wirral club in any event, but the nature of their victory was little short of magnificent. With the Blues holding a narrow 3 –0 lead early in the second half disaster appeared to have struck when their international scrum half, Christian Saverimutto, was controversially shown the red card and sent from the field. Nuneaton's full back Jamie Peacock levelled the scores with a penalty moments after Saverimutto's dismissal and the Wirral 14 men were left facing 15 from Nuneaton and an uphill struggle. Defeat was stared them in the face, but it was not to be as the Blues rallied to produce a magnificent performance that left their fans smiling all the way home. With Paul Campbell ruled out from the second row Alistair Atkinson was recalled to the engine room to join the ever youthful Carl Turley. With Marcus Coast also unavailable, Emrys Evan's moved to the centre to partner Riaz Fredericks and Jez Lamb took over the No. 7 shirt. Loa Tupou moved in on pack at blind side allowing Academy youngster Ian Murray to be selected for only his second senior game. Another youngster Lewis Mullen was brought onto the bench as cover for the hooker as Mr Saverimutto was again forced to make selection changes Having unceremoniously dumped the Blues out of the National Cup in October, Nuneaton started in confident manner. Player coach Chris Tarbuck at No 8 was prominent in the opening exchanges as the home side probed for an early breakthrough. The Blues defence held firm with the mood epitomised by two defining moments, both featuring Academy star Ian Murray. The talented youngsters thumping tackle on Steve Blackmoore stopped a promising Nuneaton movement in its tracks and silenced the home crowd with the ferocity of the hit. A shaken and dazed Blackmoore climbed to his feet after extensive applications of the cold sponge, over two minutes after Murray's big hit. Moments later Nuneaton's the 'Nun' full back John Peacock came in for the same Murray treatment. In equally brutal fashion another bone crunching tackle from the young Titan again halted an attacking move with devastating effect. Make no mistake these were big hits in anyone's book to put the first sign of doubt into the home teams attacking aspirations. Clearly rattled by the Blues appetite for tackling Nuneaton stuttered and the Blues broke out of defence to drive play to the half way line. A penalty was signalled and Brett called up for a long-range attempt from some 45 metres out. Brett made a good contact to send the ball flying high and long through the uprights to open the scoring.
Nuneaton 0 – 3 New Brighton on 16 mins With little to separate the teams play remained fairly even but in the forwards the signs were that big Marco Dorrington was clearly troubling his opposite number Chris Hadfield in the set piece. Atkinson and Turley were providing the drive in the second row as the New Brighton pack began to look more secure than the previous time they visited Liberty Field. Peacock, still showing the effects of Murray's tackle, failed with a relatively straightforward penalty attempt on 30 minutes to signal the turning of the tide in favour of the Blues. A fast ball from Christian Saverimutto gave live wire stand off Anthony Birley space to show his pace creating the gap for Fredericks to power down field. Evans joined the move progressing play deep into home territory. With the Nuneaton defence split asunder the Blues in full cry looked to be on for the opening try when referee Paul Dickens stopped the play for crossing infringement. The decision caused more than a little comment on the terraces as it was difficult to see any defensive player in position to be obstructed by the move. Nuneaton managed to survive the half with Brett's penalty the only score on the board. HALF TIME Nuneaton 0 – 3 New Brighton Taking control of the game in the opening minutes of the second half New Brighton were beginning to look a revitalised side with a newfound confidence spreading through their ranks. Moore again impressing with his lightening pace out wide and Sewell proved inspirational in the back row, but it was the whole New Brighton squad, who were showing a sharpness and appetite for the game, that was forcing Nuneaton onto the back foot.
All was developing well for the Blues when a flowing play powered down field for yet another penetrating move. Birley, Fredericks and Evans made good ground to build a threatening position near the home 22. Blues No 9 Christian Saverimutto was one of the first supporting players to arrive at the breakdown when a loud blast on Mr. Dickens whistle stopped the game. The stoppage continued for some considerable discussion between referee, captain and players. It culminated in a red card shown to Blues No 9 for allegedly stamping. Leaving the field the No 9 was adamant that he did not stamp and is convinced that video evidence will demonstrate his innocence.
The unfortunate reality was that New Brighton's 14 men were facing a 34 minute spell playing against Nuneaton's 15 men. James Moore was taken from the wing to fill in at no 9 but when Peacock tied the scores with a penalty moments after the sending off the signs were looking ominous for the Wirral men. Nuneaton 3 – 3 New Brighton on 46 minutes The mood at Reeds Lane has been buoyant since the return of `Stevo' Dorrington to head up the forward coaching panel two weeks ago. Together with brother 'Marco' the mighty Dorrington Brothers have long been two of New Brighton's favourite sons. With over 750 appearances for the Blues between them they have been stalwarts over many years including four league Championship seasons and as many Cheshire Cup successes. People were expecting big things from Stevo's influence, but no one would have dared to hope for such a major turn around in the New Brighton pack as that which followed on this winters afternoon in Nuneaton. Playing 7 men against 8 the Blues pack lifted their effort to drive Nuneaton back draining the resistance and strength from the home forwards. Turley, Atkinson and Sewell were immense but the influence of Marco Dorrington in the front row supported by Davies and Evans was pivotal to New Brighton's fortunes. Some how the Blues combined to dominate the set piece and eventually won 5 scrums against the head. Give possession to the New Brighton backs this season even without strike runner Marcus Coast and they are a match for anyone in the League and so it proved to be. When the Blues 7 man scrum won possession centre field on the 10 metre line an attack was launched giving Emrys Evans a half chance. It was all the flying Welshman needed to pierce the defence and race home under the posts for a defiant score that brought the confidence flooding back into the New Brighton side. Brett added the conversion to lay the gauntlet as the competition started for real. Nuneaton 3 – 10 New Brighton on 57 minutes Brett added a further penalty to signal the possibility of an improbable Blues win. Nuneaton 3 – 13 New Brighton on 67 minutes Nuneaton halted a promising New Brighton move on their own 22 to win a scrum. 'Marco' Dorrington was by now dominating in the front row and destroying his opposite number. It was to prove a decisive element as the ball came spinning from the side of the Nuneaton's struggling scrum. James Moore pounced in Austin Healey fashion, gathered possession and scampered over to touch down without a hand being laid on him. For a long moment nothing appeared to happen with everyone standing mystified as to what had happened. When referee Dickens blew his whistle and raised his arm signalling the score the Blues travelling fans were in sent into raptures as their 14 man side had opened to a 15 point lead. Brett added the conversion and Nuneaton were effectively beaten. Nuneaton 3 – 20 New Brighton on 70 minutes With 10 minute plus injury time remaining there was plenty of time for the home side to come back into this game. It soon became apparent that they were out of the competition as the confidence was bristling in the New Brighton ranks. Blues chief Alistair Saverimutto was able to introduce Dave Irwin, Tim Morton, Adam Kettle and the very promising Lewis Mullen into the game as all the Blues substitutes were given a run out. It was impressive indeed from the New Brighton men. Marco Dorrington's effect in the scrums was a crucial element, Moore and Murray were impressive behind the scrum and Sewell inspirational in the back row, but this was a day when the whole New Brighton team came together in a defiant effort to defy the odds and record a memorable victory FINAL SCORE Nuneaton 31 – 7 New Brighton Next week New Brighton are at home to the ever improving Scunthorpe. The league's new boys scored an impressive away win over Liverpool St. Helens last Saturday and will be keen to repeat their heroics at Reeds Lane next Saturday. With a lot of rugby still to be played before the promotion race is decided this season the Blues will be looking for a win against Scunthorpe, should they win this one they may still be able to fan the ember of their promotion dream. After their win at Nuneaton anything is possible and with a growing number of academy players progressing to have such influence in the Blues senior side perhaps the time is right for the political and commercial fathers in our community to come together and provide the levels of support the Wirral's senior side deserves.
NEXT HOME GAME
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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NEW BRIGHTON 55 - 10 SANDAL
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The Blues needed to win and in all honesty were expected to win this one. Defeat was not an option, as it would have plunged the Reeds Lane deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table with a relegation dog fight a serious possibility. In the event New Brighton rose from the ashes, of their 18 – 6 defeat at Tynedale in their last outing, to produce some spectacular rugby in this emphatic victory. The relief of the Reeds Lane faithful was clear for all to see. Before the game they might have been excused for accepting a 3-0 victory but as the game unfolded it was equally clear that the team had found their heart and the fighting spirit so sadly lacking in earlier games this season. Players supported each other, they worked for each other, they ran for each other and they came together as a team looking far more like title chasers than relegation candidates. . Within five minutes of the start electric winger James Moore was testing the Sandal defence with a pacey run out wide. His deft chip ahead bounced into touch off a Yorkshire defender giving New Brighton the advantage of the feed into the line out. Paul Campbell rose majestically to take possession and set up a driving maul for the line. It was a good forward attack ending with Emrys Evans crossing for the first of his three tries. Brett added the conversion. New Brighton 7 – 0 Sandal on 5 minutes Sandal responded to the score and battled forward to earn a penalty on 11 minutes. Scrum half Matthew Bacon obliged with the kick. New Brighton 7 – 3 Sandal on 11 minutes
The Yorkshire Men fought to stay in the competition but were increasingly exposed as a defiant Blues at last began to fire on all cylinders. Brett added another penalty on 15 minutes. Sandal continued to battle hard but when stand off Birley pounced for an interception on the half hour a decisive blow had been struck at their famous Yorkshire resolve. Racing from the 10-metre line the talented No 10 pinned his ears back in a race out wide to round the defence. The talented youngster cleverly switched angles to cut back towards the posts leaving the Yorkshire men wrong footed. Birley was half tackled some 10 metres short but had the strength to regain his feet and power over for a spectacular score. Brett added the conversion and New Brighton were on their way.
New Brighton 17 – 3 Sandal on 30 minutes
Within 5 minutes an ebullient Blues were on the scoring path again. It started with a powerful forward drive, so long the hall mark of the New Brighton team but so seldom seen this season. A fast position from the breakdown saw some lightening interplay between Coast, Fredericks and the livewire Birley created the position for full back Brett to join the line at full speed splitting the Sandal defence for a magnificent score. Brett converted his try.
New Brighton 24 – 3 Sandal on 35 minutes The once familiar forms of Steve Dorrington and Pete Buckles were prominent on the touchline having been recalled to the cause as forward coaches. Not surprisingly New Brighton were enjoying much better fortune in the pack well illustrated when Emrys Evans finished of a traditional blues rolling maul to score out wide. Brett failed with the conversion New Brighton 29 – 3 Sandal on 37 minutes The Blues were now playing with the confidence and style fans had come to expect from them at Fortress Reeds Lane last season. Brett collected a high kick close to the right wing deep in his 22. Racing across field in front of his posts he caused home fans to hold their breath as the Yorkshire tacklers closed in. Backing his speed Brett rounded the Sandal back division to straighten up for a sprint towards the 10 metre line. A speeding Coast joined the play cutting a delightful angle to progress play over the half way line. As the defence closed in on Coast he popped a clever pass into the air to find Jez Lamb, who had run some 60 metres in support of his centre. Lamb in-turn linked with power winger Loa Toupou who smashed through several despairing tackles before sending Emrys Hughes in for the most spectacular hat trick score seen at Reeds Lane for many a day. Brett failed with the conversion but the Blues had stated their intent and the match was all but won as referee Phillips whistled for half time
HALF TIME New Brighton 34 – 3 Sandal The Blues started the second half in fine style as a flowing move returned the kick off into Sandal territory with quite magnificent play. Home fans watched in near disbelief as the speed of hand from Fredericks, Coast and Lamb launched a move that passed through the hands of half the New Brighton team before Birley crossed for yet another memorable score. Brett added the conversion to kill any idea Sandal had of a fight back New Brighton 41 – 3 Sandal on 42 minutes Making a welcome return to the senior team after breaking his arm in September big Dave Irwin came off the bench to replace Carl Turley on 49 minutes. Turley had again combined with Mark Dorrington and Carl Davies to produced the performance and delivered the power that established New Brighton forward domination. In the following minutes New Brighton turned on the style to deliver some vintage champaign rugby of the highest order. Man of the match Jon Sewell was the next to score on 49 minutes to complete a move again involving half the New Brighton team. It was spectacular stuff. Brett added the conversion before Mat Bacon raced in to score and convert to bring some consolation for the travelling Yorkshire fans. New Brighton 48-10 Sandal on 60 minutes Irwin left the field to be replaced on 70 minutes by Adam Kettle. It appeared a strange way to use the substitution but apparently a predetermined move to give the big man a 20-minute spell midway in the second half. Irwin reported fit after the game and is no doubt looking forward to a longer spell next week. New Brighton used all five substitutes including Leon Burns who scored the final try for the Blues on his senior debut. Brett converted to complete the scoring. FINAL New Brighton 55 -10 Sandal on 60 minutes New Brighton were expecting to win this encounter with struggling Sandal, but the nature and margin of their win looked more like the performance of a team looking to have a say in the championship and certainly not one involved in the league basement. Undoubtedly this was a good and impressive win. New Brighton were a revitalised outfit on this showing, especially in the forwards where all eight did exceptionally well. Christian Saverimutto had a much better game at No 9 and livewire Anthony Birley proved a constant threat at stand off. James Moore continues to impress on the wing with Fredericks and Coast on fire in the centre and Brett returned to his best form at full back. What remains to be seen is if New Brighton can take this performance to the midlands next week and avenge their cup defeat against Nuneaton who will certainly present a tougher challenge than Sandal. Steve Dorrington and Pete Buckles were certainly important elements in the Blues new found forward spirit. If they can continue this improvement to give Saverimutto's backs a good supply of ball anything is still possible in this roller coaster season.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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TYNEDALE 18 - 6 NEWBRIGHTON
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With the wind at their backs, New Brighton kicked off to open in fine style. Paul Brett scoring with a well-taken penalty after just 2 minutes to give the Wirral men an early lead. Tynedale gathered and responded well with some driving plays that forced the Blues back into their own half. An infringement on 4 minutes gave Alan Moses an early opportunity to level straight in front of the sticks but his kick was held up in the wind and failed to make the distance. With Mark Dorrington unable to travel and Andy Atkinson the subject of a late `cry off' the Blues were again going to be outgunned in the forward department and were relying on the fire power of their backs to win the day. I believe it was Moses who coined the immortal expression, 'You can't make bricks without straw'. In the game of rugby the same truth applies. 'You can't score points without the ball!' and so it was to prove on a wintry day in Northumberland. .
Tynedale soon enjoyed the best of the exchanges up front giving Jamie Murray their opening score with a good try on 5 minutes. No 8 Murray finishing in style after several well-controlled, penetrative phases of play from the home side.
Tynedale 5 – 6 New Brighton on 20 mins
New Brighton restored their lead with another fine penalty from Brett on 20 minutes but the forward dominance of the Tynesider's was beginning to look ominous. When Moses hit the post with a penalty attempt in front of the sticks there was just a suggestion that the luck might be with the Blues on the day. It was not to be.
Coach Alistair Saverimutto brought veteran lock Carl Turley into the game on 34 minutes to bring more weight into the Blues pack. Adam Kettle was withdrawn to the bench, Jez lamb moved to the back row and the giant Turley thrown into the second row. True to his fighting spirit the big man had the immediate affect of shoring up the Blues forward effort, indeed New Brighton were unlucky not to score when the pack drove over the line from a scrum to claim a pushover try. Unfortunately for them the referee did not see a touchdown and amidst some protest from the visitors did not award a score.
Half Time Tynedale 5 – 6 New Brighton
New Brighton remained on the back foot of a scrappy affair following the restart. Moses kicked Tynedale into the lead with an early penalty
Tynedale 8 – 6 New Brighton 48 mins
Sam Cottrell was doing his best at No 9 and showing just what a fine prospect he is, but playing behind a beaten pack it was difficult for the youngster to shine. The vastly experienced Christian Saverimutto was brought on after 50 minutes and very soon got his chance to influence the game. Tynedale front row Andy Charlton was shown the yellow card for an infringement and sent to the 'Sin Bin' for 10 minutes.
The chance was there for New Brighton to get into the game and they did not disappoint raising their effort to enjoy a 15 minute purple patch. It was encouraging stuff but with 15 playing 14, the Blues failed to score. It was perhaps their last real opportunity with the result effectively settled when New Brighton failed to capitalise during their brief spell of dominance. Moses added another penalty for Tynedale on 70 minutes extending the lead to 5 points. Disaster struck for the Blues when Tim Morton left the field with a knee injury. The ubiquitous Turley was moved forward to the front row and again gave a performance well above the normal call of duty. A converted try could still have grabbed a result for the Reeds Lane men, but increasingly coming second to a dominant Tynedale pack, they just could not get the possession nor establish the platform from which to launch a scoring move.
Tynedale rubbed salt into the wound when Ed Holmes forced his way over from a scrum deep into injury time. Moses added the conversion to add to New Brighton's misery
Final Tynedale 18 – 6 New Brighton Next weeks home game with Sandal at Reeds Lane now takes on enormous proportions. New Brighton simply must win this one. Should they fail at home, the Wirral men could well be facing a battle for survival in the National League.
NEXT HOME GAME NATIONAL LEAGUE NEW BRIGHTON v SANDAL
Reeds Lane 16th Nov KO 3.00pm
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