Rugby Union: Two new Students sign in at Hartsfield

Oct 17 2007 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW BRIGHTON have made a couple of new signings and the players could come into contention for Saturday’s North Two West trip to Lymm.

John Moores student Jamie Johnston is moving from Birkenhead Park where his back-row chances are limited.

John Pritchard who can play centre or wing is switching from Chinnor in the West Country. He is also a student locally.

There could be another couple of players to come for the Blues who are top after four wins and a draw.

Meanwhile there was a first defeat for Brighton last Saturday in the EDF Energy National Cup away to Leigh whom they had comfortably beaten a fortnight previously in the league.

The Hartsfield side rested several players but it was still a surprise result. The Blues suffered from lack of good possession and never fully recovered after conceding a try and conversion in the first minute.

But it was not until the 73rd minute Leigh made the game safe with their third touch-down. Alistair Child and Vin Dutton went over for the losers and Stephen Dean converted once in a 26-12 loss.

New Brighton have planned a Past Players reunion ahead of the home game against Sandbach on Saturday week.

Meanwhile New Brighton and Birkenhead Park, who are due to meet in the semi-final of the Lees Cheshire Cup in early November, successfully approached the cup committee with a suggestion the toss of coin decide home advantage.

The toss was won by Park and the game will take place at the Upper Park on Tuesday, November 13 (8pm).

The clubs will share the gate receipts with the bar revenue going to Birkenhead which is some consolation for losing the bar returns when New Brighton’s quarter final with Stockport scheduled fore the Birkenhead ground was changed to Hartsfield.