Team Sheet:1. Chris Naylor, 2. Anthony Probert, 3. Damian Penisini, 4. Jez Lamb, 5.Steve Fox, 6.Jon Sewell, 7. Wayne Clayton, 8. Kati Tuipulotu, 9. Alan Hesketh, 10. Steve Dean, 11. Sean Ellis, 12. Richard Halpin, 13. Ian Murray, 14. Alistair Child, 15.Juan Schoeman.
Substitutes:16.Phil Buckley, 17. Jay Stirrett,18. Dan Searle, 19. Mark Dorrington

Pictures by Phil Broster
More Pictures

Although the scoreline would suggest a fairly easy win for Darlington it is arguable that the failure to convert pressure

Juan Schoeman try.

into points in the first quarter probably lost the game for the Blues. They did not have the best of luck when an attempted drop goal by Steve Dean floated wide and a when a grossly mistaken knock on call by the touch judge when Juan Schoeman caught the ball on his second attempt almost certainly prevented an early score. However, it is the repetition of the same old drills ad nauseam, showing that a limited repertoire and a paucity of imagination and flair is the real problem for New Brighton. Indeed, an attempt to impart some variation at times draws the accusation of “taking the wrong option” from some section in the crowd!.

The forwards acquitted themselves well in tight play and lineout but ball carriers are too ready to go to ground rather than keep the ball live. Jon Sewell was ‘man of the match’ and should always be ‘man of the match’

Steve Fox looks for support.

for his work rate and example to others when things are not going well. Centres Ian Murray and Richard Halpin both came close to a break through on occasions but were frustrated by the in your face marking by Darlington leaving no room for maneuver. Juan Schoeman scored a super solo try in the first half from an interception and raced 80 metres, out pacing the defence and showing that he has real pace, but there was little opportunity for him to find space again.

New Brighton stormed in from the kick off and had Darlington under sustained pressure for full 15 minutes without a score. The visitors, gaining confidence, started to take control but while putting the Blues under pressure they allowed Juan Schoeman get away with an interception and score under the posts to give Steve Dean the easiest of conversions on 20 minutes.

From the restart the Blues worked their way back into the Darlington half, but No 8 Alan Brown picking the ball out at the back of the scrum, held up in the tackle, off loaded to a supporting forward which started the move involving both backs and forwards that culminated in Frank Coulson crossing for Darlington and a conversion by Lee Davis bringing the scores level at 7 – 7 on 24 minutes.

Now on the back foot New Brighton conceded a second try by winger Frank Coulson again converted by Lee Davis to put them in 7 points in arrears on the half hour and Lee Davis and Steve Dean swopped penalties as the half drew to a close.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 10 - 17 Darlington

It only took three minutes for Darlington to forge further ahead with a forwards try finished off by prop Paul Shepperd, again Lee Davis

Steve Dean Breaks Free

added the extras. New Brighton did raise their game and carried the fight to the Darlington half. Repeated attempts to force the ball over with pick up and drives, rolling mauls and set scrum push over yielded nothing and it was Darlington who produced the next score with a very well worked try by centre Ben Snook. The conversion stretched the lead to 29 points to 10 on 55 minutes and Simon Crozier put Darlington further out of sight with a try on the hour.

On the restart New Brighton won the ball from the kick off and with a rare piece of inspired play gave Alan Hesketh a bit of space wide on the left and the little scrum half grabbed the chance for a consolation try.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 15 - 34 Darlington