Sunday saw the visit of a big physical New Brighton team to the club for the semi final in the Cheshire Bowl.

New Brighton elected to kick and both teams seemed to be evenly matched in the early exchange’s.

C&N we’re keeping NB in their own half thanks largely to our dominance in the line out and scrum’s, despite NB having a size advantage. After 7 minutes prop Harry Reade left the field with an injury. We kept up the pressure and a well worked move from 5 meters out saw Thomas Hollins crash through under the posts. Joe Waterhouse stepped up and added the conversion to make it 7-0.

NB were going to go quietly though and from a set play their big second row made 20 meters, before being caught. With our defence scrambling back into position NB recycled the ball 5 meters from the line and scored out wide. They failed to convert the kick, score 7-5.

C&N got straight back at them from the restart and forced an error to be awarded the put in at the scrum. Once again our smaller pack refused to be pushed off the ball to retain possession. For the next 10 minutes the game ebbed and flowed with C&N keeping the pressure on. NB found themselves down to 14 after a yellow card for a high tackle. Then from a penalty 10 meters out the ball was taken up by Tomas who was tackled 5 from the line and then quick ball and a nice little tip ball to Luke Upton to power over for the second try. Joe Waterhouse once again added the conversion to make it 14-5 at half time.

The second half saw us playing into the wind and NB came out strong and had a sustained period of possession. C&N held them out and then with good ball pushed up into the NB half. After a couple more good powerful scrums we were awarded a penalty just outside the 22. Jo Waterhouse stepped up and converted making it 17-5.

New Brighton came straight back from the restart and after some good pressure scored under the posts. A hastily taken attempt at a drop kick to convert the extras sailed wide making it 17-10. Under pressure C&N held out with some strong defence. NB then received a yellow card as they were sensing the game slipping away due to C&N strong defence. The boys held out with some good phase’s of play from both teams and the final score 17-10.

It was a strong performance by all the whole team with man of the match going to Aidan Bull for his performance in the line.
The Final is to be held at Stockport on 13th March.
We’ll done to all and congratulations on making your 1st Final. Let’s finish the job now and win the final.