CHARLTON Park’s unbeaten run since the New Year came to a halt on Saturday at Brighton when they were well beaten by a better side.

Brighton’s team was barely recognisable from the one which lost at Charlton Park back in September and they dominated territory and possession throughout the match.

Charlton showed their team spirit and fought tenaciously, but their inability to get their ball-carriers in space even from the scrum, which was their one area of strength, told against them.

Park were also guilty of kicking away the good ball they did get to Brighton’s powerful backs or simply not finding touch, placing themselves under more pressure.

It was at the lineout, an area where Park have been in charge this year, that Brighton’s dominance had the greatest effect.

Considering the amount of possession the Blues enjoyed, they should perhaps have made it count more.

It is hard to recall Charlton managing more than half a dozen clean catches through the entire game.

Charlton’s red defensive wall, however, thwarted waves of attacks in the first half and the only try came after we tried to counter-attack and kicked badly.

At half-time, and only 10-0 up, there were signs Brighton were becoming frustrated.

Park were also crucially hampered by the loss of their captain and undoubted key player Mick Casizzi when he had to leave the field with a broken finger only 10 minutes into the game.

As the second half progressed, Charlton’s heroic defensive efforts were not enough to stem the tide.

Once they had broken the first tackle, Brighton’s well-drilled team, full of young players with experience of higher level rugby, seemed to have one extra man available as the line approached.

None of their four second half tries can be blamed on individual Charlton Park lapses, they all had to be worked for. Park’s consolation try came from a fine counter-attack led by ever-enthusiastic Ben Chappell, with some slick passing leading to a charge over the line by Terry Read.