The Lion Begins To Stir

The long awaited day for the arrival of southern hemisphere players to strengthen the squad eventually came to fruition on as South Africans Neels Nieuwenhuis and Stephan Weihman were picked up at the airport on Wednesday. The tortuous business of sorting visas and other technicalities has been a major problem but has now been completed successfully and they are able to remain in this country for two years. The New Brighton faithful will certainly give them a fantastic welcome and make it for them a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.

With only a short introduction to the squad at training on Thursday the pair experienced English rugby for the first time in the 2nd XV against Widnes on Saturday under midwinter conditions. For them, it was quite a culture change as they battled with the unaccustomed muddy conditions as well as the variation in the interpretation of the laws as administered by the local referees. However, they both survived the initiation well. Neels Neiuwenhuis showed himself to be a competent No. 10, even at this early stage. He is also comfortable at scrum half and at either inside or outside centre. Stephan Wiehman played at No 7. He is a fast moving player who can perform in any of the three back row positions and has the physique for his alternative position in the second row. Both have played Provincial Rugby in South Africa and both are former players with the Cape Peninsular University Lions.

A third player making his club debut in the 2nd XV on Saturday was Guy Stringer, the former Whitchurch centre with an impressive try scoring record. He got himself off the mark at Widnes early in the second half. The fans will be watching to see the sort of understanding which he and Neiuwenhuis are able to develop in the coming weeks and how Chief Coach, Steve Dorrington will deploy their strengths within the existing squad.

Against a Widnes team, struggling to avoid relegation and without a 1st XV game on the day, New Brighton squeezed a hard fought win by a mere15 points to 10. A penalty goal kicked by Dan Searle gave the visitors a three point lead at half time. Dan Seale converted Guy Stringer’s try and Gavin Attwood rounded of a fine move started from a break by Sean Ellis on the Blues own line to make up the total score. A lack of concentration in the final quarter let Widnes in for two tries and with Paul Roberts and Josh Bates both cooling their heels in the sin bin, were able, only by a lung bursting effort, to prevent a pushover try on the final whistle.

The playing strength at Hartsfield has been boosted considerably with the recent signings of Scott Watson, Guy Stringer, Neels Nieuwenhuis, Stephan Wiehman and the return to the fold of players as the JMU students Gavin Attwood and Oliver Perryman. And although survival in North 1 may seem little more than a forlorn hope right now, the Blues are getting matters under control and are not going down without a fight. The contracts for all new signings extend into next season so whatever the league situation in April 2007 Steve Dorrington is determined to get the club away to a good start for next season. The Lion is beginning to stir but it will have to get really very angry if it is to overtake its local rivals and return to being the King of the Wirral.

Full Time Score:Widnes 2nd XV 10 - 15 New Brighton 2nd XV

Next Week: 27, Second XV at Home Versus

Preston G. 4
Kick Off 3.00pm

Next Home First XV Game Saturday 17th February

HULL
Kick off 3.00 pm