New Brighton

Team Sheet: 15. Ian Murray, 14. Sean Ellis, 13. Richard Halpin, 12. Sengili Tui'halamaka, 11. Alistair Child, 10. Steve Dean, 9. AQlan Hesketh, 1. Chris Naylor, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Craig Smithson, 4. Steve Fox, 5. Jez Lamb, 6. Jon Harris, 7. Wayne Clayton, 8. John Sewell.
Replacements: 16. Kevin Pollard (Craig Smithson 76 mins), 17. Lewis Mullen, 18. Andy Donaldson (Jay Stirret 60 mins). 19. Jim Yarranton (Sengili Tuihalamaka 78 mins)

New Brighton, with the pack always under pressure in poor weather conditions, put up a spirited performance at Blackwell Meadows before going down to a narrow defeat in National Three North league against a side who had dismissed them from the Powergen Trophy the previous weekend. Darlington in scoring four tries to nil obviously deserved the victory but there were several plusses for the Blues who actually led 6 - 5 at the interval. .

Alan Hesketh and Steve Dean both returned after injury to feature prominently at half-back. Richard Halpin also got through a full game in the centre after a two weeks absence and there was a promising debut at prop from Craig Smithson. .

Smithson did make way for veteran Kevin Pollard in the final quarter. . The Blues also lost Sengili Tuihalamaka and Jay Stirrett through injury in the second period with Andy Donaldson and Jim Yarranton going on..

Steve Dean opened the scoring after 3 mins with a penalty goal which was cancelled out 5 minutes later when scrum-half Rob Stewart went over for Darlington after forward pressure from a line out had created the opportunity. However, early in the second quarter a second penalty from Steve Dean put the Blues' noses back in front and, despite coming under considerable pressure, they held this advantage up to the break encouraging the travelling supporters speculate that a win was indeed possible, reversing the result of the previous week.

Half Time Score: Darlington 5 - 6 New Brighton

However, 5 mins after the break, favoured by the conditions, the Darlington forwards, set up a try for flanker Anthony Lewis. Although Steve Dean replied with a third penalty goal, the Darlington forwards again set the agenda for Alan Brown to stretch the lead to 15 points to 9 just on the hour and for Rob Stewart to strengthen the stranglehold 7 minutes later with his second try.

New Brighton stuck to the task to force a penalty on 69 minutes to reduce the gap and just on the final whistle Steve Dean was again on target to claim a valuable bonus point.

Darlington did not manage a successful kick which meant New Brighton were always in with a chance of tipping the balance.

Ian Murray made some telling breaks for the Blues on a day when handling was not easy on a greasy surface. It did dry up later but despite their efforts the Blues simply could not breach the home rearguard.

Full Time Score: Darlington 20 - 15 New Brighton

Next Home Game
- PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS -
HARTSFIELD Sat. 22nd October. 2005.

Notices:

Past Players' Reunion and Lunch Event
If you have not booked contact Bill Staniford urgently by e mail: westaniford@ntlworld.com
It will be the biggest ever so don't miss out.

Supporters Club Free Raffle at this Game
If your number is drawn you must be there to claim your prize. It could be a case of wine.