Burnage overcome New Brighton

Dec 9 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

BURNAGE proved too strong for New Brighton in a North One league clash at the weekend.

The visitors were allowed to score a try from a knock-on not spotted by the referee and the Blues missed a touch down opportunity when centre Vinnie Dutton dropped the ball over the line.

Burnage built up a 19-5 interval lead and stretched away to 31-5 after the break. They scored five tries in all, three of them converted.

New Brighton managed one first-half try but secured two more later as they got their act together.

Birkenhead Park were under the cosh for much of their game as they suffered their heaviest National Three North league defeat of the season against a strong Stockport side, as they went down 22-8.

Caldy produced an excellent second-half performance to gain another bonus point on the road and a point on their league rivals, as they beat Broadstreet 38-13.

The result looked in some doubt after a first-half that saw Caldy down to 13 men and Broadstreet claw back an early 17-0 lead to leave the score at half-time 17-13.

The second-half saw Caldy come out invigorated and score 21 unanswered points with a great all-round display.

A stoic performance by West Park earned them a memorable 20-20 draw against Middlesbrough which puts them level on points with Cleckheaton two places from the bottom of the National 3 North table.

Wirral gained a crushing 64-7 victory at Oswestry to step over Bowdon to the head of the South Lancashire/Cheshire One league table.

Alistair Baker led the way with four tries. Rob Pearle, Ross Page, Chris Hughes, Sam Broadbent, Martin Bennett and Dan Harvey also crossed.

In other action, Hoylake were edged out 29-28 at Glossop.

Cheshire Plate matches saw a 24-3 success for Prenton over Ellesmere Port and a 14-22 reverse for Port Sunlight at home to Congleton.