New Brighton RFC kept alive hopes of top two finish in North Two West League following 22-15 win over Altrincham Kersa

Feb 4 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

New Brighton RFC kept alive hopes of top two finish in North Two West League following 22-15 win over Altrincham Kersa

NEW Brighton kept alive their outside hopes of a top two finish in North Two West League when they deservedly lowered the colours of leaders Altrincham Kersal following their 22-15 victory at Reeds Lane.

The Wirral side’s forwards laid the foundations of success, but it was a battling all-round display with some terrific defensive work when necessary.

Ryan McKibbin set the scene with a second-minute try, when he broke from the base of a scrum. Stephen Dean added the extras.

Altrincham levelled after 12 minutes with a breakaway try from a quickly-taken tap penalty. John Singleton raced 60 metres to leave James Nettleton an easy goal.

Dean and Nettleton exchanged penalties before in first-half added time, John Brotherton crossed from steady forward pressure with Dean converting.

The Blues took the game to the opposition in the second period with the diagonal wind against them.

Then a concerted attack on 55 minutes culminated in a crucial try for Ikuna Manuofetoa after Paul Lewis was stopped just short.

Altrincham became more and more frustrated as they were forced into a series of errors. They did close the gap in the seventh minute of added time, when Sean Rogers was controversially awarded a touch-down following a tap penalty.

But it mattered little. The result was a fair reflection and the Blues, who are now five points off the pace, will be looking for more of the same in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, an excellent fightback by Birkenhead Park was only just thwarted 13-9 at Beverley during a windswept North One affair.

Ian Archibald landed a brace of first-half penalties for the home side and they increased their lead in the third quarter with an excellent try by man of the match Graham Oakley converted by Archibald.

Park with the elements in their favour gradually reduced the lead but could not break down Beverley’s defence.

Dave Hall did put them in with a victory chance with a trio of penalties, but they never quite did enough with the possession they obtained.

Matt Thompson in a changed role at stand-off showed up well for Park. There was also a sound debut on the wing for senior colt Joe Spencer, but the defeat put an end to hopes of a top two finish in the division.