Mason Kicks Blues Into Second Place

Team Sheet:1. Mark Dorrington, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Steve Dorrington, 4. Steve Fox, 5.Paul Cambell, 6. Jez Lamb, 7. Josh Bates, 8. Kati Tui'pulotu, 9. Ali Child, 10. Steve Dean, 11. Lee Brogan, 12.Chris Dale, 13. Dan Naylor, 14. Ian Murray, 15.Huw Jones
Substitutes:16. Andy Donaldson, 17. Mike Gazzola, 18. Alan Hesketh

Report by Doug Thorpe
Pictures by Phil BrosterFor More Pics Click Here

It was the combination of some discipline breakdown under pressure and the accuracy of the boot of Simon Mason which made the difference between the two sides on Saturday as Caldy went on to win by four penalty goals and a converted try to a try and two penalties. The Blues could be deemed unfortunate to lose both Josh Bates and Kati Tu’ipulotu to the sin bin but the remaining seven forwards continued to hold their own on each occasion, largely due to the contribution of the seasoned warriors Mark and Steve Dorrington. Lion Hearted as they are these two heroes will agree that the arrival of the anticipated props from Tonga is a desperate need.

New Brighton almost did enough to win but failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities in the first half and having rocked Caldy by taking the lead just on the hour they lacked the steadiness to finish the job.

With the expansive recruiting carried out during the summer and the success of their preseason build up, Caldy kicked off brimming with confidence and immediately put the Blues under pressure. An easily kickable penalty was ignored as Caldy, looking for an early try, put the ball into touch for a lineout on the 5 metre line. The catch and drive failed to produce a score as the Blues forwards repulsed the effort. The ball was moved wide and again the New Brighton defence was up to it. Then tragically for New Brighton Josh Bates was despatched to the sin bin for an offence seven metres from his own line. But in that first quarter the New Brighton defence had done enough to dent the Caldy confidence so that instead of a risk in taking on the depleted New Brighton pack for a try they opted for the more assured three point penalty.

Apart from a further penalty goal by Simon Mason 5 mins before half time, Caldy were on the defensive for most of the second quarter. The ball was distributed well by Steve Dean, Huw Jones’ incursions into the line were effective, Chris Dale and Ian Murray threatened and Dan Naylor produced a combination of guile and shear power. New Brighton were unlucky not to score when a high chip from Steve Dean was knocked on under the post and again when Lee Brogan was unable to collect cleanly a well weighted kick to the corner. Kati collected his marching orders two minutes into injury time.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 0 - 6 Caldy

The Blues came back strongly at the start of the second half. A penalty attempt by Steve Dean drifted wide but Mason did not make any mistake with his opportunity minutes later. An immediate riposte by New Brighton from the kick off as Phil Buckley hit the ball catcher and turned him to force a penalty. Steve Dean made no mistake this time and the Blues were on the score board at 3 points to 9 on 45 minutes.

The Blues continued to control. Josh Bates was carrying the ball well and his tackling is ferocious. Ali Child and Jez Lamb were controlling the channels around the scrum and Steve Fox and Paul Campbell were rewarded for their efforts with a try credited to Steve Fox, after a fast and furious exchange of play by both sides which ended with a frustrated Richard Bradshaw being despatched to the sin bin.

New Brighton went into the lead at the end of the third quarter with a penalty to bring the score to 11 – 9 but the pace was beginning to tell. The Blues were letting Caldy off the hook. A visibly tiring Blues were hanging on. Steve Dean tried a break and in attempting to protect the ball after the tackle, gave away a penalty and was sent to the sin bin for his trouble. Simon Mason put a very relieved Caldy back in the lead by one point with the resultant penalty with less than 10 minutes left on the clock. A final effort saw Chris Dale break through but his final pass to Dan Naylor, with the path to the line clear, was judged to be forward. Caldy rounded off their win with a try by Ben Lyon, converted by Mason on the final whistle.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 11 - 19 Caldy

Next Week: 16th September, 1st XV Away
Chester

Next Week: 16th September, 2nd XV at Home
Preston G. 4
K.O. 3.00 pm

Next Home 1st XV Game Saturday 23rd September
Huddersfield
Kick off 3.00 pm