New Brighton Disappoint

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

Report by Doug Thorpe

With both sides losing in their initial outings they each were anxious to avoid a second defeat but it was Chester who dominated and ran out worthy winners. Chester controlled the possession throughout forcing New Brighton to fall back into a defensive mode for the majority of the game. The Blues did defend well, with no tries scored in the match at half time, but the patient and continual pummelling by Chester had already started opening cracks despite ferocious tackling from the Blues centres and back row. After the break the cracks had been worked into gaps and the home side ran in five tries.

Although Kati Tu’ipulotu grabbed two tries for New Brighton and there were some notable individual flashes from Alan Hesketh, Chris Dale and Huw Jones there was never the support to build up and maintain a momentum while Chester were always there in numbers to pick up the off load, clear the rucks and recover the loose balls.

Chester kicked off and immediately attacked from deep after a clearance kick failed to find touch. A penalty to the corner and a drive from the lineout was frustrated by the New Brighton eight but the first blood still went to Chester on 11 minutes when Simon Francis struck the ball well for a penalty goal which Steve Dean matched with one for the Blues soon after. Despite the home side controlling the possession and mounting wave after wave of attacks the defence held firm though there were some tense moments.

New Brighton created two clear scoring opportunities in the second quarter, first when an attack initiated by Steve Dean was carried forward by new signing Sion Williams and Chris Dale to put Ian Murray away but the winger found himself isolated and tried a grubber for the line which was cleared up by a defender and again when Alan Hesketh, after rounding most of the defence on the outside, was stopped by the fullback.

Half Time Score: Chester 3 – 3 New Brighton

Within minutes of the start of the second half Andy Donaldson was despatched to the sin bin and now down to seven forwards the Blues were unable to prevent scores by big second row Scott Watson and fullback Sam Donavan. Neither converted but the Blues were down by 10 points and little chance of pulling it back.

Scott Watson was again on hand to rack the score up to 18 – 3 in the 57th minute. Alan Hesketh raised the pulse rate with another sizzling break down the blind side but it was Kati who crossed the line after the Blues rolling maul set up the position.

Then it was back to business as usual as Liam Lawton sailed over followed by a try by prop Jamie Wainwright to bring the score to 28 – 8 and complete the scoring for Chester. Kati rounded off the match at the start of added time with a break and try which restored some respectability to the score line. Sufficient to note the both kickers had a poor day, a fact which affected the margin of defeat for the Blues though not the result.

Final score: Chester 28 – 13 New Brighton

This was a big disappointment for New Brighton after they performed so well against the powerful Caldy side the week before. However, it is a confirmation that the club still has a way to go before it can throw off the residues from the awful experiences of last season. There is no instant formula and the coaches under the direction of Steve Dorrington need time to develop their ideas in to reality on the field. Clearly, there is progress and it will get there.

Next Week: 23rd September, 1st XV Home
v Huddersfield

Next Week: 16th September, 2nd XV Away
Liverpool St Helens
K.O. 3.00 pm

Following Home 1st XV Game Saturday 7th October
Kendal
Kick off 3.00 pm