Blues hit rock-bottom

Nov 29 2006 Wirral News

NEW BRIGHTON stay at the foot of the North One League after falling to Altrincham Kersal , their ninth defeat of the season.

The Blues struggled to turn pressure into points and it was the visitors who scored first, touching down in the ninth minute.

Brighton rallied well for Kati Tuipulotu to force his wayaver at the end of the first quarter.

But two more tries from Altrincham gave them a 17-5 half time lead and they scored another in the 69th minute after Brighton lost a scrum.

Fox scored from a tap penalty in the 73rd minute despite having Dan Naylor sent to the sin bin

But Altrincham came back with a penalty and an injury-time try to take the game 32-10.

At the other end of the table, Caldy maintained their four point cushion at the top by edging a dour clash with Hull, 6-3.

Hull did score first when they grabbed adrop goal before two penalties from Simon Mason gave Caldy the win.

Birkenhead showed a lot of endeavour against high-flying Kendal, but could not prevent a seventh reverse in North One.

Kendal took the lead 17 after minutes but Birkenhead's response was immediate, Ibbotson putting Steve Clarke over three minutes later.

Poor tackling led to Kendal's second try, winger John Liddell adding another soon after.

It was all over in the 50th minute when Kendal scored again, the conversion taking the final score to 26-5.

In South Lancashire/Cheshire One, a thrilling clash between Widnes and Wirral ended with honours even at 26-26.

Widnes led 21-12 at the break but Wirral hit back. Ali Baker went in twice for Wirral and there were also tries for Shaun Kay and Ian White, with Dan Harvey managing three goals.

League leaders Leigh adapted better to atrocious conditions to win their clash with Hoylake 27-10 - although Hoylake did manage a try through Dominic Kearney, which was converted by Steve Young, who also kicked a penalty.

And a try and a penalty kick from Lewis helped Wallasey to a 8-3 win over Ashton-on-Mersey.