New Brighton Improvement Continues

Team Sheet:1. Chris Naylor, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Damian Penisini, 4. Andy Donaldson, 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.Lewis Mullen, 17. Jim Yarranton,18. Ben Lazenby, 19. Mark Dorrington

With a dismal record for the first half of the season and having suffered some heavy defeats, this would look like a team thoroughly demoralised and in terminal decline. The Blues belied this assessment by starting this game with a degree of intensity and a confidence which was encouraging to behold. Maybe it was of the relative closeness of the two clubs near the foot of the League table or perhaps the presence of former Blues stars Antony Birley and Dan Naylor in the opposition which stiffened the resolve or perhaps it was the creditable performance of last week against Fylde which gave cause for the added confidence. For sure they have not been crushed by adversity but, rather, are being tempered by it. The steel may have to bend at times but it will not break and if it can be stiffened a little and a diamond cutting edge added New Brighton will be a seriously competitive side in this league. There may yet be time to achieve the transition and hold on to their place, whatever the decision of the RFU about expanding the leagues.

New Brighton were unlucky not to go ahead after five minutes by a penalty and after coming under sustained pressure went behind to a Knowles penalty ten minutes later. Steve Dean leveled the scores from 24 metres, great work by Kati, Jon Sewell, Phil Buckley and Chris Naylor having brought play upfield and into position. Quick ball and determined ball carrying preventing the defence from settling and regrouping. The Blues managed to repeat this style very effectively on a number of occassions to set up scoring opportunities which they were unforunately unable to take.

A ball turned over in the Macclesfield 22 led to the home side driving 80 metres out of defense. A penalty for holding was put to the corner and from the line out and drive blind side Ollie Hewitt was credited with the try on 28 minutes. Six minutes later a high tackle was rewarded with another penalty and an identical repeat of the previous move for Dave Mukalt to go on the score sheet. Neither try was converted so the Blues were now trailing by 10 points.

New Brighton still threatened and Messrs Birley and Naylor must have been surprised that these precocious stand ins from last season could create so many problems. From a well worked attacking position Steve Dean made the half break for Alastair Child to cut inside. The ball was moved smartly to Sean Ellis on the right for the wing to round the defence for a peach of a try. Conversions were sparse on the day and the teams retired for the break with Macclesfield five points in front

Half Time Score: Macclesfield 13 - 8 New Brighton

Macclesfield, having scored twice from mauls, continued to play the forwards card. The Blues resisted well but Knowles kicked a penalty and Anthony Birley sneeked across the line from close in to increase the Macclesfield lead to 13 points just after the hour. Alan Hesketh struck back seven minutes later, by tackling the scrum half in possession, and then stealing the ball of the second player to whom it had been off loaded and scampering over the line. Not for the first time in this game, on the previous occassion the ref already blown his whistle for an earlier offence. Again no conversion which denied the Blues of a consolation losing bonus point.

Play swung rapidly from end to end in the final minutes as Macclesfield tried desperately to to get the fourth try and a bonus point and the Blues also anxious to reduce the deficit. But there was no further scoring.

Full Time Score: Macclesfield 21 - 13 New Brighton

The Blues are at home next week against Kendal who are yet to win a game this season. Kick Off 3.00. If New Brighton can build on their recent developing form there will be plenty to cheer. If you do not come down to Hartsfield too often why not make it for Saturday, give yourself a treat for Christmas and give the lads the support so important at this stage.

Note the Carol Night Singalong on Thursday. Starts 8.00 p.m. All Welcome, admission £2 on the door Kids come free.