Brothers rack up 900 but bad day for Brighton

Apr 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW BRIGHTON coach Steve Dorrington took a part in the action in the latest North Two West clash at Vale of Lune which finished in a disappointing 20-12 reverse.

Dorrington went on as a second-half replacement and figured in an unfamiliar second-row position. Brother Mark played in the front-row and the pair between them have now put in a remarkable 900 appearances for the Wirral club.

Mark leads the way with 517. He still has some way to go to beat the record held by the late Ian Hart with 586 games but will keep up the challenge provided he feels fit enough.

“He is playing very well at present,” said Steve, who felt the players did not really put their mind to the task at a fired up Vale of Lune who are fighting for survival in the division.

Skipper Kati Tuipultou did put in an outstanding display. He added another two tries to his tally but the Blues lacked a kicker and managed only one successful shot on the day.

Sadly back-row man Josh Bates was a first-half casualty with an ankle dislocation and underwent surgery the following day.

New Brighton are now without any chance of a play-off place and will now have to settle for a finish in the top six as thoughts turn to next season.

There are two matches remaining away to Winnington Park on Saturday week and at home to Broughton Park seven days later.

Dorrington lamented the stop-start programme this season. He said: “We had three weeks off before the Vale of Lune game. Now we face another Saturday without a game.

“It seems crazy and league officials will need to give the situation more thought.”