New boy puts out the right signals

Feb 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW BRIGHTON can draw plenty of encouragement from the promising debuts of full-back Dan Jones and winger Andrew Signal in the 25-10 success over Leigh in North Two West League.

The victory completed a double for the Blues and, while their promotion prospects look remote, coach Steve Dorrington refuses to give up.

“It may be out of our hands but we will fight to the end. You never know what may happen,” commented Dorrington.

It is their away form which has let down the Hartsfield outfit. Dorrington is at a loss to understand why and has asked supporters for their views on the website forum.

Brighton still have some tasty home games to come against leaders Chester and third-placed Broughton Park. Their three outstanding away matches are against lowly opposition in the shape of Tyldesley, Vale of Lune and Winnington Park and should be winnable.

The forwards laid the foundations of success against Leigh, but there good contributions from half-backs Ali Child and Stephen Dean.

Dean kicked an early penalty and influential skipper Kati Tuipulotu registered the first try for an 8-0 interval advantage. A try for Leigh soon after the re-start gave the Blues the warning they needed and they quickly asserted their authority for further tries through Ollie Perryman and Loa Topou. There were two conversions and another penalty for Dean before Leigh added a second try on the final whistle.

Signal was registered by the Blues last week after showing great promise with the second team. He is from Auckland, New Zealand, and has played Rugby League for Howick Hornets in his home country. His parents originally hail from the Wirral. He was named man of match against Leigh for what was described as a “gutsy” display.

Tonight at Hartsfield a young Blues side take on Romanian under-21 outfit Cleopatra.