Blues Reserves Entertain

Team Sheet:1. John Williams, 2. Lewis Mullen, 3. Conan Grehan, 4. Ben Lazenby, 5.Andy Donaldson, 6. Paul Roberts, 7. Dan Searle, 8. Mo, 9. Mike Smith, 10. Jim Yarranton, 11. Mark Sharp, 12. Wayne Clayton, 13. Gaz Simpson, 14. Ian Murray, 15. Vinnie Dutton
Substitutes:16. Josh Bates, 17. Barry Ryland

Report by Doug Thorpe

It was clear early on that the Blues were going to prove to be the victors in this contest, a feeling encouraged when Mike Smith trotted over for a try just seven minutes after the kick off and Jim Yarranton claimed the extras.

Although there were periods of play when nothing much was happening and things descended to the chaotic the Blues entertained with some delightful passages of play. Indeed, Vinnie Dutton’s try in the second half which started with a scrum half break and the ball moved smartly through several pairs of hands before the nippy little fullback completed the attack was a delight to behold. Mike Smith and Jim Yarranton combined well at half back and it was nice to see Wayne Clayton back, this time in the centre were his strength made a considerable boost to the sides performance.

The pack was a comfortable match for the visiting eight with Andy Donaldson and, more particularly, Ben Lazenby controlling the line out and the front row of John Williams and Conan Grehan propping for Lewis Mullen is as good as they come at this level. Dan Searle played a good open side game as did Josh Bates, his replacement in the second half. Paul Roberts has consistently provided the stability for this second string and Saturday was no different as he lead from the front.

New Brighton carried the attack to Blackburn from the kick off and although drives built up from line outs following two penalty kicks to the corners were repulsed a half break by Jim Yarranton and a quick recycle ball gave Mike Smith the chance to open the account. Jim Yarranton converted and the Blues had opened a gap of seven points. The Tongan No 8 Mo was next on the score sheet on 26 minutes and Jim Yarranton completed the scoring on the stroke of half time by rounding off a move started by a strong break thru the defence by Wayne Clayton with a cheeky dummy to leave the defending fullback floundering. Yarranton converted both tries for a commanding halftime lead of 21 points to nil.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 21 - 0 Blackburn

The discipline in the New Brighton team is an area needing attention on the training ground. The referee aided by the repeated and undoubtedly knowledgeable intervention of a particularly vociferous Blackburn forward missed very few of the New Brighton transgressions and under the frustration of numerous penalties and two yellow cards the Blues were in danger of losing the initiative at times in the second half. Blackburn came onto the score sheet on 56 minutes with a try by their No 8 but seven minutes later while down to 14 men Vinnie Dutton scored the try of the match to restore the lead.

Blackburn were not finished. Encouraged by indiscipline amongst a Blues side, again depleted with a second yellow card, they came back strongly and were rewarded with a fine converted try on 77 minutes to bring the scores to 26 points to 12.

New Brighton survived the final minutes and the eight minutes of added time without conceeding a further score to wind up with a comfortable win.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 26 - 12 Blackburn

Next Week: 4^th November.
New Brighton v Stockport
K.O. 3.00pm
and PAST PLAYERS REUNION LUNCH

Next Week: 4^th November, 2nd XV Away
WIRRAL
K.O. 3.00 pm