Blues Fail To Turn Pressure Into Points

Team Sheet:1. Mark Dorrington, 2. Phil Buckley, 3. Anthony Probert, 4. Jez Lamb, 5.Paul Cambell, 6. Andy Moore, 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. Dan Naylor
Substitutes:16. Jim Yarranton, 17. Gareth Simpson, 18. Steve Dorrington

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

It was not that New Brighton lost this game so much as they failed woefully to turn pressure into points. Most particularly in the second half when they enjoyed a huge territorial advantage, dominated the possession and benefited from refereeing decisions including a yellow card for Huddersfield forward George Barnard as the visitors defended their line desperately and at off times illegally.

There is a lot of pressure on the Steve Dorrington – Ian Kennedy coaching team to reverse the slide which was totally out of control at the end of last season and the overall performance on Saturday certainly confirmed the view that a great deal of progress has been made. However, with only four tries scored in the first three games of this season there is at least one clearly identifiable area for concern which they, undoubtedly, already have under close scrutiny. Conversely, the defence record, apart from half an hour of total aberration when Chester ran in five tries in the second half, has been good with only another three tries conceded over the same period.

New Brighton kicked off with a lively breeze behind and got the best of the early exchanges. Jez Lamb and Paul Cambell were working the line out well and the presence of the back row of Andy Moore, Josh Bates and Kati Tu’ipulotu was highly evident. The Blues were first to score with a Steve Dean penalty but Huddersfield came back strongly on the restart and after a sustained attack went into the lead with an unconverted try by Neil Summers on eight minutes.

A series of well worked attacking build ups by the home side foundered as indiscretions in the tackle area resulted in penalties which gave relief to Huddersfield and it was the visitors who went further ahead on the half hour with a penalty goal followed by a try both by fly half Chris Johnson. Another Steve Dean penalty as half time approached reduced the gap but the Blues were still seven points adrift at the break.

Half Time Score: New Brighton 6 - 13 Huddersfield

New Brighton should surely have put Huddersfield to the sword in the second half. However, the defence was solid with the few breaks by the Blues not getting completely clear. Dan Naylor came close and Sion Williams tried to power a way through. Alan Hesketh tried out wide but it was not until the seventy fifth minute that a the ball was recycled quickly enough from a breakdown that the defence was caught flat footed and Steve Dean was able to cross for the last score of the game which reduce the deficit to two points.

New Brighton dominated in the second half. Repeated penalties against Huddersfield were put into touch to initiate attacks from a catch and drive rather than opt for the three point penalty goal but, even when down to seven forwards, Huddersfield allowed no way through, took the match and the League points leaving New Brighton still firmly stuck to the bottom.

Full Time Score: New Brighton 11 - 13 Huddersfield

Among the spectators at the game was Anthony Birley,a fly half who played for New Brighton with no little distinction a few years ago, which gave rise to a little uninformed speculation. The fans were also pleased to see Jon Harris back from his experiences in New Zealand and expecting to be re registered and back in harness shortly.

Next Week: 30th September, 1st XV Away
Hull

Next Week: 30^th September, 2nd XV at Home
Leigh
K.O. 3.00 pm

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