Senior Division 2
Welcome to the 2010 season for the New Brighton Division 2 team. Scott Pawson and James Lamb are back coaching again hopeful of taking the side to a higher level of rugby , both on the field and more importantly on the points table. We decided to try something a bit different and run an alternate pre-season training on Monday nights to see if we could prevent the previous seasons nortorius slow starts. This proved an outstanding sucess with 22 players turning up on the first night. With a good mix of anaerobic games and fitness we were able to maintain good numbers on Monday nights right through until the start of the season. We would like to thank Roddy Butt for his intial input at these sessions. Two pre-season games were completed and it gave the coaches some real optimism for the upcoming season ahead.
Round One - New Brighton 17 versus Linwood 3
With a good mix of last years Div 2 side and the return of a couple of old heads plus some new ones it was with some nerves we headed down to Linfield to take on the mighty Linwood Bulls. A very tough physical match was played with New Brighton coming out victorious by 17 points to 3. It was a real team effort and placed a stake in the ground for the side. The defense in particular was a standout feature from the game.
Tries Dayne Wipou 2, Brent Cations 1
Con Brent Cations 1
Round Two - New Brighton 36 versus Belfast 15
We headed in to game two against a Belfast side that we have struggled to beat in recent seasons. We started like a house on fire for the first five minutes and everything was looking good. We were quickly brought back to earth and Belfast went in to the halftime break leading us by 12 points to 11. With a bit more purpose and superior fitness we were able to apply the pressure in the second half and eventually kick away to a bonus point win.
Tries Dayne Wipou 2, Nick Fowler 1, Chevy de Beus Young 1
Con Jason Pawson 2
Pen Jason Pawson 2
DG Jason Pawson 1
So far so good. We will continue to work hard at training and see if we can challenge the top sides. Our team goal is to make the Top six and then re-evaluate from there.
Round Three - New Brighton 23 versus HSOB 10
As we left the sunshine of the East Coast and drove across town to Bob Deans the weather slowly deteriorated and it meant we would end up playing in conditions that would produce a dour battle of attrition and a game that would be decided late in the piece. When the New Brighton side stuck to their plans they looked the far better side. Old boys were grateful for the heavy track as it kept them in the game a lot longer than their previous results suggested. For the third week running some astute use of the bench meant that the replacement players again lifted the tempo of the game and the true "Seasiders" were able to kick away and bring up a bonus point victory. A real squad victory was achieved and a quiet couple of pints and a bit of potato's was enjoyed at the Ale House on the journey home. Special mention must go to young JP who received a cheap high shot and may or may not remember much about what happened after. He then went on to reserve for the Div One side with a lip that would have made Bubba Gump proud. Well done young man.
Tries Chevy de beus Young 1
Morgan Fox 1
Juzza Lewis 1
Andrew Heyworth 1
Pen Jason Pawson 1
The first true test for New Brighton lays ahead this week against their eastern neighbours - Shirley.
Round Four - NewBrighton 8 versus Shirley 19
The "B's" first true test of the season was to hard. A young but ferocious Viking pack invaded Rawhiti International Stadium and raped and pillaged the New Brighton Div 2 team and came away with the spoils. It was a game where hopefully all the Div 2 squad including coaches and management learnt a lesson about how to play a tough physical brand of football. If the entire squad can look at their own failings first before blaming others I am sure we will see a far improved performance next week. The standout performer was Trent Waldron - Manager for the week. Also the coaches have asked me to thank all the supporters who offered plenty of advice to them on Saturday night.
Tries Andrew Kelly 1
Pen Shane McBeath 1
Must fly but I cant wait for the battle of the seaside on Club Day.
Round Five - New Brighton 15 versus Sumner 30
The Battle of the seaside was going to be an interesting match up until officialdom decided that it would be better for everyone watching the game that New Brighton should play with 14 men. Although the Brighton lads rallied and put in a huge effort , playing for 50 minutes a man down was too hard and in the end Sumner won the game by a healthy 15 points.
All players put up a good showing. In paticular ,young Dean Cations had a storming match, Morgan Fox showed tremendous attitude and skipper Doug Stewart toiled away for the entire 80 minutes. Young James in his first game for New Brighton ran strongly at 2nd five. Also, Dan Stevens showed good enthusiasm and aggression off the bench.
I talked to the coaches after the game and they said that the side is putting in a huge effort at trainings and during the games but all that hard work is being undone by a lack of overall discipline and letting the opposing sides get easy points at crucial stages. They also said there is good competition to make the 22 each week and as long as all team members keep putting in, eventually the rewards will come.
Tries Junior Cations 1, Jerome Pou 1
Con Jason Pawson 1
Pen Shane McBeath
Round Six - New Brighton 10 versus University 12
A high flying ( excuse the pun) university team was the next challenge for the "B'S". A nice flight , on not to unpleasant a day, had me landing at Ilam fields eagerly anticipating a match up against a so far rampant opposition. A ding dong battle went right to the wire and New Brighton were unfortunately on the wrong side of the ledger ( just). This New Brighton side is getting closer each week and is definetly improving with each outing. They must now turn these performance in to competition points or they will fall to far behind the top sides to be playing in the championship rounds.
It was great to see some old faces having there first outings for the "B's" this year. Im sure with Ginga, Hoons , Party and even old timer Lambie all trying to help out, this team is getting ready to rumble.
Tries Andrew Kelly 1
Con Jamie Rangihuna 1
Pen Jamie Rangihuna 1
This weeks game is against the other students out at Lincoln. It will be to far for this old bird to fly so im going to catch a ride with the team on their bus. If im lucky a couple of stray chips and a pint or two might even be thrown my way on the trip home.
Round Seven - New Brighton 15 versus Lincoln 8
Gusty win and a great night. The lads showed good team spirit on the field and on the bus on the way home. A tight close win can hopefully re kickstart the Div 2 teams season.
Tries Dayne Wipou 2 , Chevy de bes Young 1
Round Eight - New Brighton 36 versus Sydenham 0
An outstanding defensive game saw "The Bees" romp away to a 36 to 0 win. A case of white line fever was the only thing that stopped ths score swelling to well over 50 points. A highlight of the game was the return to the gold jersey of young Marcel Cumming Toone. He was so excited to be playing again he helped himself to three tries, one a fine solo effort with the Sydenham player still looking for the dummy that was sold. Tim Stockdale was another returning player and he had a fine game in the New Brighton midfield.
Tries Marcel Cumming Toone 3, Dayne Wipou 1, Api Manual 1, Tim Stockdale 1
Con Shane Mcbeath 2 , Jason Pawson 1
Round Nine - New Brighton 10 versus Lytellton 31
Flogged. It was the classic case of one team wanting to win more than the other. Im sure the Brighton boys can forget this game and look forward to playing the top ranked Suburbs team this week. Hopefully a few injured players will return and bring a refreshed enthusiastic attitude to the team. Having watched this team over the years they always seem to play well when there backs are to the wall. Im looking forward to the next week when they have to play 3 games in eight days.
Tries Gareth Seymour 1
Con Jason Pawson 1
Pen Jason Pawson 1
