Rugby Union: Dale nips in as Brighton win late

Sep 12 2007 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW BRIGHTON were delighted to snatch victory over Vale of Lune in their opening match in North Two West when all seemed lost at the half-way stage.

It is obviously going to take time for a new-look squad to settle but certainly the signs are promising.

Mike Gallimore and Richard Hopkin formed a new half-back partnership and specialist goal kicker Stephen Dean made a welcome return in the centre.

Newcomer John Brotherton made his presence felt at prop as did the returning Danny Jones in the second row.

And the Blues would have been able to include Tongan centre Fimenone Fling Mau but registration formalities were not completed in time.

It was 27-26 to New Brighton in the end after they trailed 26-8 at the interval.

Skipper Kati Tuipultou helped himself to two tries with others via Brotherton and Chris Dale, crucially in added time. Dean landed a penalty and two conversions,

Worrying for the Blues was the concession of four tries in the closing 10 minutes of the opening period and they cannot afford defensive lapses when they visit Chester for their next game on Saturday.

The two clubs were relegated together and both want a quick return to North One.

Meanwhile, New Brighton must be regretting the continued absence of their star lock forward Chris Bentley.

He set a club record by not missing a match in three full seasons and when the club collapsed he moved forward to play at Biarritz, Exeter and then in New Zealand.

His team, Taxman Makos, are currently playing in the top league out there, and when the season ends he will be returning to help Exeter, for whom he has already played 59 games.