New Brighton Enterprise Subdued by Darlington

Team Sheet: 15. Sean Ellis, 14. Jim Yarranton, 13. Ian Murray, 12. Sengili Tui'halamaka, 11. Vinnie Dutton 10. Alastair Child, 9. John Harris, 1. Chris Naylor, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Mark Dorrington 4. Steve Fox, 5. Jez Lamb, 6. Dan Searle, 7. Wayne Clayton, 8. John Sewell.
Replacements: 16. Andy Whatling (Phil Buckley 70 mins), 17. Kevin Pollard (Mark Dorrington 75 mins), 18. Jay Stirrett (Steve Fox 70 mins).

New Brighton, drummed out of the Powergen National Trophy at the third round stage by Darlington, will be looking for improved fortune when they renew acquaintances with their opponents next week as they visit the North East for the National League 3 North fixture.

The Blues kicking off against a strong downfield wind did well to restrict their opponents to a 3-13 interval lead but a forward try soon after the re-start was a killer blow.

They never threw in the towel and there was a glimmer of hope when they gained their only try on the hour. But Darlington always seemed to have a little in reserve and it was all over by the 67th minute when they stretched to 23-8.

The Blues still kept battling on and it needed some great defence by Darlington to deny Brighton a second touch down from a series of tap penalties in the dying moments. Jon Sewell set a captain’s example in the back-row for the Blues. Jonathan Harris and Alistair Child, in a makeshift half-back partnership, also did well and Ian Murray had his moments in the centre. But alas possession for the Blues was never good enough and the backs had few chances on a day when passing was something of a lottery.

Darlington missed an easy early penalty before steady pressure saw dangerous full-back Apenai Kororua in at the corner. Murray failed with one penalty for the Blues before striking with an easy second kick on 19 minutes. But the home side was unlucky in the 23rd minute when the ball ran loose from their own scrum for Robert Stewart pick up and go over for a second Darlington try. A valuable line-out steal by Steve Fox denied Darlington another possible touch down before Ben Snook hit a penalty just ahead of the interval to make it 3-13.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 3 - 13 Darlington

The second-half began badly for the home side as the Darlington forwards drove upfield for Anthony Lewis to cross under a pile of bodies on 43 minutes.

Ian Murray made a great break, slicing through the Darlington defence on the hour. He was held up short but Steve Fox was up in support to go over. Murray pulled what should have been an easy conversion wide.

However, the advantages were all with Darlington as they stretched clear in the 67th minute after breaking from their own 22. Kororua ran strongly and when he was halted Stewart was on hand to take possession for try number four.

Jay Stirrett replaced Fox soon after he scored and Kevin Pollard was given a run in the closing minutes for the ever willing Mark Dorrington.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 8 - 23 Darlington

Next Away Game - League
- Darlington -
Sat. 8th October 2005.

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