Hull Ionians . . . . . 28pts, New Brighton . . . . . 32pts

IF JONOTHAN Callard's last gasp penalty winner for Bath to win the European Cup caused a few heart flutters, New Brighton's battle at Hull on Saturday would have proved heart stopping!

Still smarting from the previous week's NPI Cup defeat in London, the Blues, playing well below par, somehow fashioned an away win to keep alive their promotion hopes - but it did little for the heart condition of the travelling fans!

New signings Gary Fisher and John O'Boyle made their debuts at hooker and centre respectively and Sean Mooney was preferred before Gazolla at prop.

Redford missed a penalty for Hull after five minutes, but the lack lustre Blues failed to take advantage of this early let off. Hull pressed again and Cowling's kick ahead led to a Mark Swift touch down. Redford converted and the Blues were 7-0 down.

Spurred into action, New Brighton drew level when Kennedy danced over to score on 22 minutes, Guest duly converting.

Guest improved the Wirral men's position further with a well struck penalty on 25 minutes for 7-10. His reliable boot added a further conversion before Kennedy crossed to score his second try to give New Brighton a 7-17 advantage.

But any hopes the travelling fans had of seeing their side 'blow the opposition away' was not to be . . .

Slowly, Hull fought back and ran in two good scores from Bennett on 33 minutes and Scott on 38 minutes. With the scores tied at 17-17, New Brighton were in trouble.

However, even in first gear, this is a Wirral side that does not fold under pressure. Jones, Hodgers, Gallagher and the whole of the front five took turns in battering away at the defence until skipper Kevin Brookman eventually found the space to crash over right on half-time.

The second-half developed into a fascinating 'ding dong' affair. Bentley came on for Jones, Gallagher moving to the flank, and a third debutant, Greg Bourne, replaced Hancock on the wing.

Redford kicked a penalty and O'Boyle scored a powerful debut try for 20-29 to the Blues before Windlass scored for Hull to make it 25-29.

The impressive Guest landed a drop goal to give the Blues a seven point cushion at 25-32, but then Redford kicked a penalty for 28-32 to send the Blues' fans' heart rate racing in the final 10 minutes.

New Brighton: Ian Kennedy, Andy Whalley, Chris Sutton, John O'Boyle, Steve Hancock, Alex Guest, Simon Wright, Sean Mooney, Gary Fisher, Steve Dorrington, Shaun Gallagher, Wade Dooley, Chris Bentley, Geoff Jones, Kevin Brookman (capt.), Lee Hodgers, Phil Gazolla, Lawrie Connor, Paul Kay, Greg Bourne.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.