New Brighton End Year On A High

Team Sheet:1. Chris Naylor, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Damian Penisini, 4. Jay Stirrett, 5. Jez Lamb, 6. Jon Sewell, 7. Wayne Clayton, 8. Kati Tuipulotu, 9. Alan Hesketh, 10. Steve Dean, 11. Sean Ellis, 12.Jon Harris, 13. Ian Murray, 14. Vinny Dutton, 15.Alastair Child,
Substitutes:16.Adam Whatling, 17. Jim Yarranton,18. Ben Lazenby, 19. Mark Dorrington

The year 2005 has not been the most auspicious in the clubs history but the squad delivered a nice Christmas present to the supporters with a double home win over Kendal at Hartsfield yesterday. The 2nd XV win was almost clinical in it's execution against, admittedly, a weakend Kendal side, but, the 1st XV had to dig deep to secure their win. In a game which hung in the balance until Kati Tui'pulotu scored the decisive try on 79 minutes, the Blues made life a lot more difficult for themselves than necessary by trying to play to a different interpretation of the laws to that decreed by referee Philip Davies. Conceding what must have been a record number of penalty kicks and three yellow cards, (the Blues were down to 13 men towards the end of the first half) the ultimate success had to be down to sheer courage and tenacity, some desperate defence and the ability of the forwards on this occassion, even when numerically disadvantaged, to cope with a physically bigger eight.

New Brighton formally announced yesterday the imminent arrival of a Juan Schoeman from South Africa. Juan will, it is hoped, provide a scoring cutting edge to the solid efforts of the current backs. He has an impressive cv which includes a good try scoring record. He will show his paces for the first time in the annual Boxing Day fixture against the Old Birkonian Presidents XV and make his first League appearance against leaders Nuneaton on January 7th. Another encouraging development is the return in the centre for the 2nd XV of Richard Halpin yesterday. His return plus the new signing will considerably improve the club's playing strength, particularly as regards backs.

With a bitingly cold wind blowing across the pitch New Brighton kicked off and quickly established an attacking position in the Kendal half. Although enjoying plenty of possession passing was erratic and although the ball was getting plenty of air there was a lack of purpose and direction. It came as a warning of what might happen when centre Ryan Dobie waltzed through the Blues defence with consumate ease to put Kendal in front after 17 minutes. Chris Park added the extras and New Brighton found themselves 7 points down and struggling.

Kendal continued to look menacing with Blues calling on some last ditch defence to prevent further scores. The Blues also had their moments and Ian Murray was unlucky to be caught and bundled into touch after a break by Alan Hesketh had wrong footed the Kendal defence. Jez Lamb was despatched to the 'sin bin' in the second quarter to be followed five minutes later by Wayne Clayton which left the Blues down to 13 men but they absorbed the pressure and kept their line intact. It was New Brighton next to score on the half time whistle following a penalty to touch, for the forwards to drive over the line and Kati to claim the touchdown. Steve Dean kicked the goal and it was all square as the players went in for the break.

Half Time Score:
New Brighton 7 - 7 Kendal

Whatever was said in the dressing room at half time we will never know but the Blues looked more composed when they came out for the second half. They pressured the Kendal line from the kick off and were rewarded with a forwards try touched down by Damian Penisini on 49 minutes.

Kendal went into the attack on every opportunity taking short penalties and unleashing dangerous looking backs rather than going for touch where Jay Stirrett and Jez Lamb were competing very successfully on the Kendal ball. On the hour a moment of drama. Kendal attempted to cross the line with a forwards drive which New brighton frustrated but infringed in the process. A short penalty taken five metres out and a repeat of the drive was repulsed and again there was an infringement. This time Chris Naylor was yellow carded and the five metre penalty repeated with a New Brighton foward now cooling his heals in the bin. Again the Blues pack responded magnificently and a knock on by Kendal gave the Blues the ball. New Brighton have to count themselves lucky, they must have come close to giving away a penalty try.

The depleated New Brighton again battled it out with Kendal pressing for the single score to win the game. They needed a converted try and ignored the chances for putting points on the board with penalties. As the minutes ticked away New Brighton were awarded a series of penalty kicks which led to a line out some metres from the Kendal line. The drive was stopped but there was an infringement and New Brighton elected to take the set scrum. A very tired Kendal eight could not hold the pressure and Kati touched the ball down and denied the visitors their losing bonus point.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 17 - 7 Kendal

Boxing Day: Annual Match against the Old Birkonian Presidents XV. K.O. 3.00 p.m.

Next Home League Game: January 7th versus League leaders Nuneaton.