Brighton fail to repeat earlier success against Cumbrians

Dec 13 2006 Wirral News

NEW BRIGHTON could not repeat their only league success of the season when they lost to Kendal in the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.

The Cumbrians were 10 points ahead inside as many minutes and virtually had the game won at the halfway stage when they led 27-5.

With skipper Kati Tuipulotu setting a fine example, the Blues showed plenty of enthusiasm and endeavour, but the visitors were always in control.

Kendal dominated from the start, scoring after three minutes and they touched down twice more in the first quarter and scored a penalty before Brighton rallied, Gareth Simpson scoring an unconverted corner try.

But the good work was immediately undone when Kendal snapped up a loose ball to score from 30 metres out and it was all over six minutes into the second half when they scored another drive-over try.

A powerful run by Chris Dale set up Tuipulotu for a try in the 49th minute before Kendal scored a sixth, but the Blues had the last say when the excellent skipper touched down, allowing Simpson the simple goal to make it 17-39.

Caldy cruised into the fourth round with a convincing 43-20 win over Aspatria.

Prop Patrick Teaupu made his last appearance for Caldy before heading back to Tonga as the Paton Field team ran in six tries.

Craig Ross scored early on and Sean Wooff and Loa Topou helped themselves to two each before ex-Orrell man Derek Salisbury, making his debut, scored the final try, converted by Marcus Coast.

Simon Mason converted four times and landed a penalty but was in the sin bin for the last conversion.

Injury-hit Hoylake produced a big performance to shock Huddersfield YM and move into the fifth stage of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

Hoylake gained three tries through Dominic Kearney, Dave Webb and Jason Pell, while Steve Young played a big role with six penalties and a conversion, as they limited Huddersfield to two tries and four penalties to win 35-22.

Alistair Baker, Dan Harvey and Craig Harvey scored tries and Dan Harvey landed a trio of penalties and a conversion as Wirral reached the semi-finals of the Thwaites Cheshire Vase with a 26-8 win over Sandbach.