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New Brighton Football Club (R.U.) |
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September Match Reports Season 2001-2002 |
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RFU Senior CUP |
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NEW BRIGHTON 13 - 5 Harrogate
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As the game progressed the Division two outfit began to rack up the pressure. New Brighton defended well and were unlucky to concede a couple of early penalty decisions. Fortune was, however, to favour the Blues as Harrogate No 10 Lee Cholewa failed with two very kickable attempts at goal. They were to prove expensive. . Harrogate came close with hit men John Dudley, Mike Worden and Richard Wade making threatening runs, but the defence, that was so suspect just seven days ago, held firm to keep a clean sheet. When New Brighton crossed the half way line for the first time since the opening exchanges to draw a penalty full 40 metres out. Up stepped Paul Brett to attempt a mammoth kick. Paul, whose range this season includes the halfway line and beyond. Was not about to disappoint scoring with a tremendous effort that edged New Brighton into the lead New Brighton 3-0 Harrogate 24 Mins. Harrogate shaped and fired up to hit back but were unable to make any impression on a very determined New Brighton defence. Approaching the half hour New Brighton launched a sustained pick and go attack. Saffy, Sewell and Moore were prominent in the initial launch but then half the New Brighton team seemed to appear on the ball to have a hand in a blistering play that powered down centre field to the halfway line. When big Alistair Atkinson collected to drive forward a real chance was emerging only to be thwarted when referee Chris Seeley whistled for an obstruction. Harrogate skipper Rhys Morgan was fast to see the opportunity as the New Brighton side were fully committed to their attack. In an instant Morgan had taken the penalty launching an attack that wrong footed the Blues carving a hole for winger Jeremy Marr to exploit and run in for the try. Cholewa failed with the conversion. New Brighton 3-5 Harrogate 30 Mins. New Brighton hit back with a flowing attack that again saw centres Coast and Fredericks make good ground. Lee Whakelam collected at speed to run in and touch down for what appeared a the ideal retort. To the dismay of the winger and the cheering New Brighton crowd the play was pulled back for a forward pass signalled by the touch judge.
Brett came close with a massive 40 meter penalty effort but the first half came to an end with no further points and the visitors holding a two point lead. However, there was a special cup feeling in the air and a home win very much on the cards as the players gathered for their half time instructions. Half Time New Brighton 3-5 Harrogate The Blues did well from the restart keeping the play in the Harrogate half. Campbell did well to steal a Yorkshire line out and proceded to do even better with a 20 metre drive down the touchline. New Brighton kept the pressure on but were driven back to their own half with a forward mauling play from Harrogate. A penalty was signalled for the Blues in their own half. A confident Brett signalled for the kicking `T' and made a good attempt at adding the points. In the event he was a little short but Harrogate failed to clear their lines allowing New Brighton to keep applying the pressure in the visitors half. In a moment of high drama following a scrum Harrogate knocked the ball forwards. Showing beautiful ball control Lee Wakelam kicked gently on and set off to chase his kick. Again showing excellent ball control more at home at Prenton Park than Reeds Lane, Whakelam coolly chipped the ball over the Harrogate line before racing 30 metres to dive on the waiting ball in spectacular style beating the speeding defenders who were closing on all sides. It was a telling score. Brett added the conversion and New Brighton were deservedly ahead. New Brighton 10-5 Harrogate 51 Mins. Harrogate, Division twos top scoring team with 148 points in just three outings, fired up to make a reply. Try as they may they were unable to make any impression on a revitalised Blues. Showing the quality of defence Reeds Lane fans have become used to in recent years New Brighton rebuffed everything the Yorkshire men threw at them. Coast and Fredericks were the pick of the backs, Riaz coming so close to a decisive break that progressed play full 25 metres before he was hauled down. Without doing anything spectacular New Brighton continued to play well producing a tight team performance that Harrogate had no answer for. Brett came close with a penalty on 63 minutes but went one better 7 minutes later to kick a decisive 40 metre penalty that effectively hammered the nails into Harrogate's coffin.
New Brighton 13-5 Harrogate 70 Mins Harrogate had their chances to get back in the game with two penalties on 76 and 79 minutes, both failed leaving New Brighton two scores clear, comfortably in control and worthy victors in this important National Cup clash. Final New Brighton 13 – 5 Harrogate New Brighton looked a totally different side this week. Their cup victory over Harrogate was not a one off lucky result; the Blues were the better team and never looked like losing this one. Undoubtedly Sewell made a big impression in the back row and with two more back five players rumoured to be signing in time for next weeks game, Mr. Saverimutto appears to have successfully sorted out the glitches that saw last weeks reversal and put the Blues back onto winning ways. With Nuneaton also beating Division two opposition, in the form of Wharfdale, the Blues are set for a trip to the Midlands in the next round of the National Cup. Next week New Brighton make the long trip to Tyneside to face Blaydon in an important league game.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH |
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NEW BRIGHTON 28 - 35 WHITCHURCH
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New Brighton's team selection was again interesting as Mr Saverimutto continues to juggle his players in the search for the strongest line up. Alastair Atkinson and Jez Lamb swapped places at No. 8 and lock respectively and centre Emrys Evans lined up for a new role as open side flanker. Irish prop Tim Morton bowed in on the bench to make a big impact when he joined the play deep in the second half. Sam Cottrell and Steve O'Connor continued their half back partnership that gelled so well when they came on in the second half last week. Whitchurch stretched the Blues in last weeks cup clash and it took a penalty try late in the second half to finally subdue their effort. Clearly the Shropshire lads believed that they could go one better this week and so it turned out. After just three minutes centre Dave Lutton crossed to score following a quick tap penalty by live wire No 9. Phil Mullock. Cheney failed with the conversion . New Brighton 0 - 5 Whitchurch on 3 mins Paul Brett responded with a penalty for the Blues on seven minutes 3-5 but his efforts were wiped out within minutes of the restart, when Lutton again made the running to set winger Jamie Dunn on his way for a try out wide. Channey failed with the conversion but landed a penalty on 15 minutes. New Brighton 3 -13 Whitchurch on 10 mins
New Brighton rallied to create some pressure of their own earning penalties on 30 and 34 minutes which Brett converted. New Brighton 9 - 13 Whitchurch on 34 mins
Whitchurch sustained their effort to draw a penalty that Channey converted on 37 minutes to deepen the Blues problems, but worse was to follow. Sensing their moment the Shropshire lads lifted their game further to set up a driving play deep into injury time. To the despair of the Reeds Lane faithful, visiting prop Russell Lear celebrated his return to the side with a crash over try that Channey converted to add to the Blues misery. Half Time New Brighton 9 - 23 Whitchurch Brett lifted home spirits with an unconverted try after the interval 14-23 but Whitchurch maintained their stranglehold on the game when No 10 John Channey scored and converted 14-30 Inspired by their success, Whitchurch battled to keep their advantage. When a series of driving forward plays forced lock Tom Pemberton over for an unconverted try, the day was all but lost for the Blues New Brighton14-35 Whitchurch Giant Irish U21 International prop Tim Morton, burst into the stage making a considerable impact on his debut for the Blues. The big man anchored the scrum and drove with power and purpose on the ball in the final quarter.
New Brighton rallied to put Emrys Evans in for a score converted by Brett 21-35 and centre Riaz Fredrick ran some 50 metres for a spectacular try to hearten the home crowd. Brett added the conversion to close the gap to seven points but the damage had already been done and there was to be no escape act this time as Whitchurch hung on for a deserved victory. Final New Brighton 28 - 35 Whitchurch Blues skipper Paul Saffy said after the game. "We are backs against the wall following this result. Next week with the visit of Harrogate in the National Cup puts us against a team who play a league above us and will be expecting to win. This is a true test of character for the lads, but I am confident we can rise to the challenge and bounce back from this setback."
NATIONAL SENIOR CUP Reeds Lane 3.pm Next Saturday Sept 29th Next week the Blues face a daunting task as high-flying Harrogate come to Reeds Lane in the second round of the National Cup. Sitting in fourth spot in their League, the Yorkshire men are the highest scoring team in National Div 2 with 148 points so far in their four outings this season. On Saturday they ran in 51 points to defeat neighbours Wharfedale. In back row John Dudley, Harrogate have a talismanic figure signed from last years premiership outfit Rotherham. At 6`4`` and weighing in at over 17 stone, Dudley is an uncompromising player who drives unrelentingly at defences, regularly breaking the gain line to set the platform for successful attacks. Blues Alistair Atkinson, will have knowledge of the big Yorkshire man having played against him in Division One some two seasons ago. Christian Saverimutto should be fit to return to the New Brighton squad and Tim Morton will almost certainly be seeing more of the game following his impressive debut coming off the subs bench last week. The call has gone out for a big turn out of home fans to support Wirral's efforts to progress into the next round of the National Cup.
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RFU Senior CUP |
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NEW BRIGHTON 32 - 21 WHITCHURCH
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Score: New Brighton 3 - 0 Whitchurch on 2 Mins .
Scrum half Christian Saverimutto was the centre of the action in a Blues team playing with confidence and pace. Their moves were crisp and varied giving the visitors little opportunity to do anything other than defend. When Brett joined an attack on the half way line a sweeping left wing move seemed to be on, but the canny full back stopped dead in his tracks, reversed his direction to set off across the field setting a move off down the right wing, Brett cleverly linked with Lamb who fed on to Fredericks and the break was well and truly developing unto something special. Coast joined the move and linked with the speeding Lee Whakelam sending the winger sprinting for the line for a most impressive score. Brett failed with the conversion. Score: New Brighton 8-0 Whitchurch on 6 Mins. Skipper Paul Saffy was brought on after just 10 minutes to replace the injured Karl Davis. With the Blues building in confidence the New Brighton faithful settled back to await a big win. It was not to be. Whitchurch, playing their familiar 'Route One' rugby began to enjoy better possession and used it to batter their way down field into the Blues half. When Andy Douglas gathered from a line out the platform was set for a vintage Whitchurch driving maul. Simon Lewis claimed the points as a sea of red shirts crashed over for a score out wide. John Chaney failed with the conversion. Score: New Brighton 8 - 5 Whitchurch on 16 Mins.
Spurred on by the reversal New Brighton lifted their effort and again took control. A line out on the visitors 22 saw Lamb collect to set a platform for the Blues. Paul Saffy cleverly controlled the play bursting off the maul to feed the waiting backs. Coast hit the line at speed cutting a reverse angle leaving the defence split asunder as he powered in to score. Brett added the conversion and new Brighton fans again sat back in anticipation of a landslide. New Brighton 15 - 5 Whitchurch on 21 Mins. Fredericks left the field with an injured neck to be replaced by Emrys Evans. The Shropshire lads dogged it out up front with their forwards battling hard to break into the game. Their efforts were rewarded on 23 minutes to earn a difficult penalty attempt that John Chaney converted well into a stiff wind to grab three points Score: New Brighton 15 - 8 Whitchurch Encouraged by their success Whitchurch force the pace to win a penalty. A long kick found touch close to the New Brighton line allowing the Shropshire Lads to gathered for another mighty onslaught. Pemberton gathered setting off series of vintage Whitchurch driving mauls. Atkinson did well to stop the initial movement but the Red Shirts rebuilt their platform and launched again to go over out wide.at the second attempt. Kent Anderson was credited with the score but Chaney failed with the conversion
Score: New Brighton 15-13 Whitchurch on 28 Mins. Brett steadied the ship for the Blues on 31 minutes with a well-taken penalty. Score: New Brighton 18 - 13 Whitchurch New Brighton fired up with a big effort before the interval to win a line out midway in the visitors half. From the position Saffy cleverly launched a charge drawing the fringe defence before linking with his backs to set a flowing move across field. Birley threw an outrageous dummy pass that fooled us back in the grandstand and left Whitchurch defenders mesmerised before raced through the gap scoring under the posts. It was a sweet move! Brett added the conversion to complete the first half scoring
Half Time: New Brighton 25 - 13 Whitchurch For the third time in the game the Blues appeared to have everything under control but the Shropshire lads had other ideas. An early penalty from Chaney was all the encouragement they needed. Orchestrated by live wire scrum half Phil Mullock Whitchurch pressed on with their battling game plan to win a position close to New Brighton's line. A series of Whitchurch power plays later and Simon Wynn was over for the score closing the gap to a nail biting 4 points. Score: New Brighton 25-21 Whitchurch on 64 Mins. O'Connor replaced Birley at No 10, Richard Moore replaced Phil Gazzola at prop and Sam Cottrell replaced Christian Saverimutto at No 9. To their credit the Blues rallied again taking the game back to the visitors winning a penalty try six minutes from time which finally saw an end to the Shropshire Lads resistance. Whitchurch had played with spirit passion and power but will not be in the draw for the next round of the cup as Saverimutto's stuttering but developing team remains undefeated in all competitions this season
Final: New Brighton 32 – 21 Whitchurch For the Blues there is again a lot to think about. In patches they looked very good indeed with Alistair Atkinson, Paul Saffy and Adam Kettle the pick of the pack. Birley looked sharp and decisive at No 10 and with Coast continuing to show his best form it all looks well in the Blues back division. Lee Whakelam finished his try with style and pace and ran well with great enthusiasm on the few occasions he had the ball. Brett continues to impress with just about everything he does and in general the Blues do not seem to have a weak position, but there were periods in this match, as in others this season, where they go off the boil to let their opponents into the game. I heard it said in the stands: "This New Brighton team is so close to being the best side we have seen at reeds Lane for years, but when their concentration goes they can look so very average!" The speaker was not wrong. Blues coaches will be working hard all week to iron out the glitches before facing Whitchurch at Reeds Lane for the second time in seven days as the Shropshire lads return next Saturday in the National League. Whitchurch will certainly fancy their chances after Saturdays performance with New Brighton keen to reduce their slack periods and build for an 80 minute high scoring performance. It all promises for another enthralling game at Reeds Lane. More Cup action to come the following week, Sept 29 th , with the visit of Harrogate for the second round of the Tetly Bitter Cup.
NEXT HOME GAME
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English National League Three North |
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DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD
21 - 21 NEWBRIGHTON
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" This was a creditable performance, Dudley K. are very much in form and looked to have edged this one with two late kicks, but our lads just would not lie down. We kept our concentration high and retained the ball for six unbroken phases of play to sore a try that earns a valuable point away from home" Blues Director of Rugby Alastair Saverimutto flew in on Friday from his vacation in Portugal to take the helm for this crucial clash. Alastair immediately set every one guessing by selecting Dave Erwin, his new 6'6'' second row recruit from Belfast, at No 8 leaving Alistair Atkinson to continue his partnership with Paul Campbell in the second row. Dudley K. opened well and went immediately on the attack pinning the Blues in their 22 for the opening five minutes. New Brighton's defence held firm and they were able to cross into home territory to win a long-range penalty, which Paul Brett kicked well to open the scoring Score: Dudley K. 0 – 3 New Brighton on 10 mins Play continued with honours just about even as New Brighton thwarted everything the Midlander's tried and looked threatening themselves whenever they won good ball. It was an important phase as the Blues put doubt in the minds of a DKS side who had run in 63 points against Bedford Athletic last week. Brett added to the home team problems when he kicked his second penalty on 17 minutes. Score: Dudley K. 0 – 6 New Brighton on 17 mins Cheered on by a partisan home crowd Dudley K. lifted the pace forcing the play deep into New Brighton territory. Defending well the Blues held their line until the 35th minute when sustained pressure saw Mark Millward cross for a try out wide. Steve Smart failed with the conversion Score: Dudley K. 5 – 6 New Brighton on 35 mins. Brett went close with a difficult penalty attempt on 38 minutes as did Steve Smart for the home team on 38 minutes. With no quarter asked for or conceded the action waged fast and furious in what was clearly going to be a battle royal. Fully 5 minutes unto injury time Steve Smart tried a long-range penalty attempt. The ball flew straight and long but looked to be falling short. To the dismay of the Blues travelling fans it hit the crossbar and scraped over to give Dudley K. a narrow interval lead. Half Time: Dudley K. 8 - 6 New Brighton New Brighton started the second period in a different gear pinning the home side in the 22. Adam Kettle was hauled down inches short of a score but the Blues pressure was taking its toll on the home defence. When Riaz Fredericks broke clear with poise and pace there was nothing the defence could do to keep him from scoring under the posts. For Paul Brett the conversion was a mere formality and New Brighton regained the lead Score: Dudley K. 8 – 13 New Brighton on 52 mins Minutes later Brett was in action again landing a good penalty kick to stretch the lead. Score: Dudley K. 8 – 16 New Brighton on 56 mins. The gauntlet well and truly laid Dudley K. raised their effeort to build a good position deep in the New Brighton half. The Blues defence seemed to have the situation well in hand when a quickly taken penalty put them on the back foot. With pressure mounting on the line Wilkinson was able to drive over for a try converted by Smart. Score: Dudley K. 15 – 16 New Brighton on 60 mins Making an impressive league debut Dave Erwin was forced off with an injury bringing Jim Kulimans into play for the final crucial quarter of the game. Both teams threw everything into the fray seeking the breakthrough to secure the league points. First Dudley K. tried a speculative drop goal attempt on 66 minutes. Then Paul Brett fired a long-range penalty effort on 70 minutes that just failed. Blues No 10 Steve O'Connor tried a drop goal that went tantalizingly close on 73 minutes but it was Dudley K. replacement kicker, Sperry, who snatched the lead for the home side on 76 minutes with a well taken penalty Score: Dudley K. 18 – 16 New Brighton on 76 mins . This was a tough time for the Blues as the home side rallied for the finale. All looked to be lost for New Brighton just 2 minutes from normal time when Gareth Davis sent home fans wild with a successful drop goal effort that stretched Dudley K. into a 5 point lead. Score: Dudley K. 21 – 16 New Brighton on 78 mins. If New Brighton is to have a say in this season's championship they will need poise, courage and character. As the game entered injury time they displayed all these qualities and more in a determined effort that forced six phases of play before Jez Lamb crashed over out wide to snatch the draw. Brett made a valiant attempt to win the game with a very difficult conversion, but it was not to be. New Brighton had battled back at the death to claim a well-deserved point coming home with honours even when they could so easily have lost this one. Final: Dudley K. 21 - 21 New Brighton Mr Saverimutto said after the game: "With so many new players it takes time to develop the empathy and understanding that makes a team special, but I am confident that things are coming together nicely. There was a lot of positive play today; we learned some big lessons about ourselves in a very testing situation. There is so much more to come from this team, some of which I expect to see when we return home to Reeds Lane in the Cup next week"
NEXT HOME GAME
After two difficult away games to open their season the New Brighton return home to Reeds Lane for the first of two back-to-back encounters with Shropshire's premier club Whitchurch. Next Saturday the Blues entertain the `Shropshire Lads' in the National Cup with the League game following a week later also at Reeds Lane. Having disposed of Preston and Orrell at home in two pre-season friendlies the Blues will be hoping that home advantage will give them the edge they need to win both games as Saverimutto's New Brighton continue to develop into the team the Wirral hopes will bring them promotion honours this season.
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English National League Three North |
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SCUNTHORPE 32 – 36 NEW BRIGHTON
Match played at Heslam Park – Scunthorpe
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To say this was a game of two halves is an understatement. A combination of some controversial refereeing decisions and a home team revival of mammoth proportions saw the leagues new boys so nearly snatched a dramatic victory. In the end New Brighton deserved their win, but there are questions to ask of Mr. Saverimutto's new Look team and some lessons to be learn from this game. From the start New Brighton, playing with a slight breeze at their backs, took control and drove the play deep into the Scunthorpe half. The home team looked well off the pace and struggled to hang on as the Blues opening pressure produced a sweet passing move that progressed at great pace down the right wing. O'Connor, Fredericks and Coast combined well, each threatening to break clear but it was Johnston who cut a lovely reverse angle running in from the wing to split the defence wide open as he raced home to score Brett added the conversion. Score: Scunthorpe 0 – 7 New Brighton on 07 mins. Scunthorpe entered the Blues half for the first time on 14 minutes and were rewarded with a penalty that stand off Tim Robins had no trouble kicking. Score: Scunthorpe 3 – 7 New Brighton on 14 mins. Paul Brett made light work just seven minutes later when he kicked his second penalty. Score: Scunthorpe 3 – 10 New Brighton on 17 mins. New Brighton continued to dominate all phases of play when a long hopeful kick ahead by Fredericks appeared to have been fielded by Scunthorpe Tom Foster. The full back caught cleanly and stood for what he apparently believed was a mark. Foster stood motionless for several seconds waiting for the whistle that did not come as referee Mike Hamlin left Foster scrabbling to put the ball into touch as Blues chasers closed in on him. From the line out deep in Scunthorpe's 22 Blues Paul Campbell gathered the throw well and handed on to Christian Saverimutto. The International No 9 dummied what looked to be a long pass wide, but cleverly held the ball and scampered over for a real opportunist try. Brett added the extras. Score: Scunthorpe 3 – 17 New Brighton on 22 mins.
Half Time: sp; Scunthorpe 3 – 27 New Brighton Just as the travelling fans were confidently expecting their side to run in a cricket score Scunthorpe shed their National League debutant nerves and began to produce the sort of form that left them unbeaten at home last season. The home side won a line out close to New Brighton's try line. Lock Tim Dunk caught well and was driven over by a fired up Scunthorpe pack to score a try converted by Tim Robbins. Score: Scunthorpe 10 – 27 New Brighton on 43 mins Gaining in confidence with every play Scunthorpe battled to earn a scrum in the Blues 22. New Brighton No 9, Christian Saverimutto was shadowing the ball through the Scunthorpe pack when he appeared to be obstructed by Garry Lock the home No 9. A minor altercation between the two saw referee Hamlin controversially whistle a penalty to the home side. With the scrum still set a quick penalty was taken and the ball fed to centre Micky Coult. The No 12 crashed into several of his forwards, who were just getting up from the scrum, and run over to touch down. Referee Hamlin stunned Blues fans and defenders by whistling for the score. It was a defining moment that signalled a Blues partial collapse and a near sensational home side revival. Robbins failed with the conversion Score: Scunthorpe 15 – 27 New Brighton on 46 mins Still apparently stunned by the reversal New Brighton battled to contain Scunthorpe's resurgence. Within minutes home fans were in full voice as their side swept across field with a flowing move that drew the best from the Blues defence but when Fijian ace Apete Sani burst into space there was nothing New Brighton could do to keep him from scoring out wide. Robbins failed with the conversion. Score: Scunthorpe 20 – 27 New Brighton on 51 mins Still reeling from the change in fortune the Blues battled up field to win a penalty just in the home team half. Brett stepped up and launched a mammoth kick that flew long and true to steady the ship with an excellent and crucial penalty score. Score: Scunthorpe 20 – 30 New Brighton 54 mins To their credit New Brighton raised their game to take the play back into the home half giving Brett another difficult penalty chance. He rose to the challenge to score three more crucial points . Score: Scunthorpe 20 – 33 New Brighton on 60 mins It was a hammer blow to Scunthorpe, but the Lincolnshire side, which have not been beaten on their turf for over a season, dug deep to lift their effort. They were rewarded when Fijian star Apete Saini broke free to race in for his second score of the day. Robbins missed the conversion. Score: Scunthorpe 25 – 27 New Brighton on 65 mins Brett added a further penalty to ease the Blues pressure. Score: Scunthorpe 25 – 36 New Brighton on 73 mins New Brighton looked to have weathered the storm when Scunthorpe produced perhaps the best move of the day to progress play from their own half with a flowing attack that appeared to have been halted out wide on the right wing by a determined Blues defence.
Score: Scunthorpe 32 – 36 New Brighton 76 mins Scunthorpe tried hard to deliver the fairy tail ending for their national League debut, but New Brighton were not about to let it slip at the death. Showing the experience gained from three seasons at this level the Blues closed the game down and pinned Scunthorpe in their own half as the time ran out
Final Scunthorpe 32 – 36 New Brighton A combination of a revitalised Scunthorpe second half performance and some controversial refereeing decisions saw New Brighton crash from a comfortable half time position to squeak the result by a mere four points. There are lessons to learn from this game and the new look Blues will certainly be hard at it on the training pitch this week to sort things out before their visit to in form Dudley Kings Swinford next Saturday. With so many new faces the Blues are certainly not functioning yet as the well oiled machine we come to expect at Reeds Lane, but they are winning and there is certainly a lot more to come from this team. Giant Irish Lock Dave Urwin and front row Tim Morton join the squad next bringing additional weight and power to the front five. Jay Stirrut is back in light training and travelled with the team on Saturday. There is so much more to come from this Blues squad. The question now is can the coaches pull their talented individuals together to form the team able to win this league?
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Final Preseason Friendly |
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NEW
BRIGHTON 19 - 3 ORRELL
New Brighton were under pressure from the start as Orrell sought to show their First Division pedigree. Clint Beachamp kicked a penalty for the visitors in the opening minute and when Orrell drove back to the Blues 22 immediately from the restart, Reeds Lane fans could be excused for fearing the worst. It was not to be, New Brighton's defence was immense and despite enjoying a far greater percentage of possession. the Lancastrians showed little that was going to trouble the Blues on this Bank Holiday weekend. There was a moment when a break out from defence looked to be on for the Blues when Coast launched Steve Johnston, who looks to be a revitalised player this season. Johnston snaked and darted through the defence looking every inch a class act before launching a long kick to the Orrell half. Giving chase to his kick, Johnson was clearly and repeatedly fouled and obstructed as he burst past defenders. The off the ball incidents were missed by both touch judge and referee Mike Callan, but Johnston was able to escape the grasp of the off the ball tackle and raced to nail the fullback in possession. It all looked very promising until a Blues support player was penalised for flopping onto the ruck. Orrell again powered down field pinning the New Brighton deep into their own territory for long periods. Possession for the Blues was scarce. When they did win some quick ball their backs looked threatening. A flowing movement from well within their own half saw New Brighton progress play to the Orrell 22 with a rapier like attack. It was only a forward pass that prevented the score as the defence had been cut to ribbons. Reward came for the Blues on 34 minutes when a rare visit to the Orrell half drew a penalty that Brett kicked to level the scores. Score 3-3 on 34 min Despite spending the majority of the first period defending New Brighton had the chance to go in ahead at the break when Brett narrowly failed with a difficult penalty attempt on 40 mins. Half time New Brighton 3 – 3 Orrell Phil Winstanly, newly signed to Orrell from Premiership Sale in the close season was causing problems in the front row with Blues young prop, Phil Gazolla, who did well to stick manfully to his task. Possession began to come for the Blues and with it the explosive power in the New Brighton back division was unleashed. In the sweetest of moves, Christian Saverimutto sped the ball to stand off Steve O'Connor, who released Riaz Fredrick on a half break. The ball found Coast who quickly linked with Johnston who in turn teased the defence with a jinking run before returning the ball to Coast, who had popped up running a wide loop that left the Orrell defence in tatters. It was the best move of the afternoon, to that point, rightly rewarded with a thrilling try. Brett narrowly failed with the conversion Score 8-3 on 49 mins Orrell continued to edge the set piece plays to control the majority of the primary possession, but lacked constructive ideas with the ball and failed to break the Blues defence. Brett added another penalty on 65 minutes. Score 11-3 on 65 mins Sensing their moment the Blues stepped up a gear to win the scarce possession their backs had been craving. Again it was a lightning move with fast hands and crisp passing that was the weapon that undid the Orrell defence. For the second time a looping move from the ebullient Marcus Coast completed another sweet sequence of back play to score another try that brought the New Brighton faithful to their feet in deserved applause Score 16-3 on 70 mins Brett failed with the conversion but was rewarded with a penalty that he duly kicked in the 75 th minute to complete the scoring. Final New Brighton 19 – 3 Orrell There are a lot of new faces in the New Brighton team especially in the pack, who are still not fully gelling together as a tight eight. Again this Sunday New Brighton struggled in set piece plays, but were beginning to look better as the game progressed. Dave Urwin, a lock from Northern Ireland flew in to join the Blues just hours before the kick off. The big Irishman did well in his first outing and could well be the player Mr. Saverimutto is looking for to complete his front five. The new look Blues in the past two outings have disposed of two fancied teams from a division above and look to have immense strike power in their backs. This was a second impressive win for the Blues, which sets them up well for the opening game of the National League season away to new boys Scunthorpe next week. It is still early days, but once the New Brighton forwards settle, and they surely will, this years Blues look to be a formidable team with a distinct chance of challenging for the championship. Wirral Rugby Academy lost out to a last gasp converted try that saw victory taken from their grasp in a 13-14 score line against the Scottish Exiles at Blundellsands on Sunday.
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Pre-Season Preview |
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NEW
BRIGHTON 21 - 5 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS
Report:
New Brighton took the field with no less than eight new players to last years team. Preston on the other hand fielded the familiar line up that earned them a respectable position in the top half of National League Division two. The Blues started well to enjoy the early field position but soon came under pressure from Preston's big pack who took control of first phase possession leaving the Blues to survive on scraps. However, the famed New Brighton defensive reputation was not lost on the new players who gave no quarter soaking up everything Preston could throw at them. When New Brighton finally won some ball they were not about to give up possession and raced down field with a sustained offence that stretched Preston to the limit. With the ball entering its seventh phase of play, the impressive Christian Saverimutto at No 9 orchestrated affairs beautifully to give stand of Birley time and space to launch his backs on a sweet sequence of quick passing plays that sent Steve Johnson running in for a very impressive score under the posts. Anthony Birley added the extras to put smiles on the faces of the New Brighton faithful.
Preston again took control of first phase possession leaving New Brighton with a lot of defence to play. When Blues new Centre Riaz Frederick found himself in space racing at the Hoppers defence he produced the move of the match with the sweetest of chips over the heads of the defenders yet short of the full back. Fredericks raced after his kick and caught the hapless winger in possession. He then impressively wrestled the ball to regain possession giving No 9 Saverimutto a delightfully fast ball that was fired to Birley who in-turn launched Coast and a throng of supporting Blues players. Speedster Julian Williams broke clear to score out wide. Birley added the extras to complete the first half scoring with a memorable move.
In the second half New Brighton won just a little more first phase ball but
were generally kept under constant pressure from a dominant Preston pack.
Following a sustained Preston attack Tim Lough crossed to score and unconverted
try for the visitors
Half Time: New Brighton 14 - 5 Preston Spurred on by conceding the score New Brighton stepped up a gear and powered down field in another multi phase move that saw lock Paul Campbell crash over for a try out wide within 90 seconds of the Preston score. Paul Brett impressively converted from out wide to complete the scoring.
Final New Brighton 21 5 Preston The Blues looked impressive in the backs with Frederick showing just enough to indicate that he is a really class act. Coast too looked impressive suggesting an exciting centre partnership for the season. Brett looked very comfortable in the unfamiliar position of full back and Steve Johnston looked far happier on the wing now that the ball is frequently spun wide. The Blues have some work to do up front as their line out and scrum came second on the day to an experienced Preston pack. There is certainly a lot more to come from New Brighton new look tight eight, but an imposing second row looked to be missing from their line up if the championship is to come to the Wirral. Nevertheless a 21 5 winning score line against a team from a division above is a very encouraging start to Alistair Saverimutto's new Blues. Summer signing Paul Saffy skippered the Blues on the day and looks likely to be taking over the captaincy for the season. The South African Hooker has fitted in exceptionally well at Reeds Lane both on and off the field. Coaches knew him to be an exceptional player but his leadership qualities have come as an added bonus. New Brighton have a `controlled practice' game with Caldy on Thursday as they continue their build up to the first league game of the season away to Scunthorpe on September 1st. |
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