New Brighton 2nd 57 - 6 Ormskirk 2nds

New Brighton 2nd XV rose like a phoenix from the ashes of two heavy defeats and soared magnificently to beat Ormskirk 2nd XV in this first round of the Halbro Cup by 57 points to 6, running in nine tries in the process. This was by no means an easy game, the Blues were made to work hard in the first half.

Playing with the wind and with the referee' calls generally favourable, Ormskirk continually pinned the home side back with some good line kicking and centres Mark McKeon and Joel Parker needed to put in some great tackles as their defensive qualities came under test. Sean Ellis was very steady at fullback, good positional sense and an eagerness to run the ball straight back at the opposition caused problems for them every time. However, it was Ormskirk in the lead at half time. Penalty goals on 10 minutes and again on 26 minutes gave them a 6 point lead and they were unlucky not to score a try from a lineout catch and drive at the end of the 1st quarter.

By the half hour New Brighton began to show some flair. A fine run by Sean Smith started a move which went via Sean Ellis to Jon Harris and was only stopped by the referee ruling an infringement. The pressure was building. Half backs Mike Smith and Jim Yarranton were starting to click a little better, players were moving the ball with more purpose and the play was passing through the phases more smoothly and more quickly. The inevitable score, when it came on the halftime whistle, was the result of a fine run by Mark McKeon, slick passing along the line for Paul Roberts to crash over in the corner. Behind by one point at 5 - 6 the Blues went into the break. .

Half Time Score: New Brighton 2nd 5 - 6 Ormskirk 2nd

The second half was in complete contrast to the first as New Brighton imposed their superiority over an Ormskirk side clearly feeling the pace. On 42 minutes nippy Vinny Dutton had added the Blues second try after getting on the end of a move started by Sean Ellis. Jim Yarranton converted and then scored and converted the third try after Joel Parker had created the gap. With the lead for the home side 19 points to 6 on 50 minutes and New Brighton almost moving at will the game as a contest was over and the boys treated spectators to some entertaining running rugby. Mark McKeon move the score to 24 -6 and then, on the hour, Craig Smithson ratcheted it up to 31 - 6 with a converted try. Paul Roberts was again over the line on 66 minutes after supporting a run by Joel Parker and Sean Ellis brought the score to 43 - 6 from a move that started right from the restart.

The handling now was a delight to watch and although Ormskirk tried hard to stem the flow, Joel Parker got himself a well deserved try and rounded off his day by keeping the ball alive in the tackle for Craig Smithson to grab the final points.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 2nd 57 - 6 Ormskirk 2nd

Team Sheet:15. Sean Ellis, 14. Vinnie Dutton, 13, Mark McKeon, 12. Joel Parker, 11. A.J. Hewitt (Kyle Hesketh), 10. Jim Yarranton, 9. Mike Smith, 1. Craig Smithson, 2. Lewis Mullen (Adam Whatling), 3. Sean Smith, 4. Ben Lazenby, 5. Andy Donaldson, 6. Dan Searle, 7. Jon Harris (Kenny Boyd), 8. Paul Roberts
Substitutes:  16. Kenny Boyd, 17.Kyle Hesketh, 18. Danny Hayes