New Brighton Fail To Control Dominant Grasshoppers

At the Past Players Reunion old former player Will Waterworth recalled playing with his brother Gordon against Preston Grasshoppers at Preston in 1945, the Club's first match after the war. That game ended in a draw with 3 points each. Unfortunately, for the Blues and their supporters, the two sides were not so evenly matched on this occassion as the visitors ran out convincing winners, routing the Blues with nine tries, seven conversions to a single converted try. A jammed shutter on the scoreboard saved having a constant reminder of how steadily the score was mounting.

Grasshoppers look to be a very good side, with pace and power and they dominated possession from start to finish. Although New Brighton tackled doggedly they were not able to put in the big hits to win balls in the tackle area and the ball was just offloaded or recycled out of reach time after time. It was inevitable that the defence was stretched to breaking point as it was swamped by wave after wave of attacks.

Led magnificently by Jon Sewell the Blues showed a lot of attitude, heads did not go down and every man tried, under the most difficult of circumstances, to play rugby. Jon Harris, unlucky to be yellow carded in the first half, took the eye as did Wayne Clayton and Phil Buckley in the forwards. Alan Hesketh and Steve Dean did their best with what possession was available and Ian Murray and Richard Halpin were able to show that they too can play a bit. Ian Murray's try on 13 minutes was the result of some good combined work from both forwards and backs and finish in style.

Grasshopper's kicked off and immediately pinned the Blues back in their own 22. A penalty, converted by Paul Bailey, in the first minute set Preston on their way. Paul Bailey went on to kick a further 2 penalties and seven conversions missing only two attempts at goal to give him a personal tally of 23 points. On ten minutes a try by Pieterse had increased the lead to 13 points to nil but after the restart the Blues established a position in the Preston half which set up the only real scoring opportunity of the game. Two more tries each from Captain No 8 Richard Morton and Fullback Oliver Viney put the game well out of reach for New Brighton by half time.

Half time Score: New Brighton 7 - 42 Preston Grasshoppers

For fifteen minutes of the second half there was no further score. New Brighton were unable to make much ground when in possession and after three or four phases the ball was turned over and they were back in defensive mode. Jon Sewell left the field injured and winger William Hughes with two tries, Oliver Viney with his third of the day and replacement Chris O'Toole completed the scoring.

Full time Score: New Brighton 7 - 68 Preston Grasshoppers

New Brighton are away at Tynedale next week 29th October.
The home game against Bradford and Bingley for 5th November is postponed.
Next home game is 19th November against Blaydon.