Rugby Union: New Brighton 15, Stockport 19

Apr 21 2008 by Andrew Stratton, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW BRIGHTON must be wondering how they came to lose this North Two West encounter.

They dominated but got caught out by two breakaway tries. Broughton finish third and the Blues fourth.

The home forwards dominated with Kati Tuipulotu setting a fine example but not enough was made of their possession. Broughton were not afraid to run the ball from deep inside their own territory and it brought a rich dividend.

Forward pressure led to a Ryan Stead corner try for Brighton on 14 minutes but the visitors levelled at the end of the first quarter when Adam Knight went in after a tap penalty move.

A well-taken John Clifford try, converted by Ronan O’Brian on 62 minutes, produced a good home response with Wayne Clayton going in for a fine individual try.

O’Brien added to the home misery with a well worked touch down on 70 minutes and added the extras.

Back came the Blues with good work by Alan Hesketh and Sean Ellis creating the chance for Paul Campbell to cross.

But the visitors hung on as Brighton suffered their eighth defeat.

Leigh, in the same division, went down 22-16 at home to Northwich.