New Brighton are looking to the future with renewed enthusiasm. Following an indifferent start to the season the Blues have restructured, rebuilt and re-launched their effort to move onwards and upwards in fiercely competitive world of National league Rugby.

Doug Thorpe, increasingly emerging in the Reeds Lane front line management, said:-

"To lose six of your pack in the close season presented an interesting problem to overcome. We faced the challenge by throwing youngsters into the deep end. They did well and they will do even better. We still have work to do but we are very much getting back on track"

"We no longer have a good team getting old

We have a young team getting good!"

Thorpe's words accurately sum up the current position. New Brighton's 'Young Guns' have made great strides forward in recent weeks as results in the last month testify. Early season errors, mistakes and uncertainties are disappearing with confidence building as the blend of the youth and the clubs seasoned stars continues to develop.

For many years the Wirral has produce an annual crop of talented young players, but with the advance of the PJR Rugby Academy the current crop are a stone heavier, a yard faster and vastly more experienced in the ways of the game.

Excellence in performance has been promoted with daily training schedules, cutting edge fitness and dietry advice. Master classes conducted by front line coaches, including twelve International players together with the right guidance, advice and support so necessary for the development of top flight athletes has been made available to our youngsters.

The Academy has also succeeded in bringing the Wirral clubs together combining their resources to benefit the lads and the Wirral community. It all augers well 'IF' the climate of cooperation and excellence continues.

What Connor and his team achieved in bringing National League Rugby to the Peninsula over the past decade is now a part of history. However, This new group of players, coaches and advisors have the potential to take Wirral rugby onwards and upwards as high as National League Division One 'IF' our community fathers, politicians, business and commerce unit together to sustain the funding and facilities necessary to keep the 'Young Guns' playing their rugby on the Wirral.

We all take pride in the past success of the Wirral's best. Names like Austin Healey, Simon Mason and Christian Saverimutto immediately spring to mind. Matty Cairns, Chris Bentley, Heffin O'Hare, Ben Johnston and others are similarly making the grade in the professional ranks around the country. Let there be no mistake, James Moore, Ian Murray, Mark McKeough, Ian Smith, Adam Kettle and over a dozen other of Wirrals current Young Guns have the potential make top flight rugby.

'IF' Wirral unites with the purpose, vision and will to provide the environment that keeps these young stars with us we can have Division One National League Rugby here on the Wirral within a few years. 'IF' the opportunity is missed, as it has been in the past, the best of our youth will follow the well trod path to play their rugby elsewhere in the country. That would be a shame and perhaps a comment on the faith we need to show in our community.

In consecutive weeks we were unfortunate enough to have players sent off for foul play.

Both cases came up for consideration before an RFU disciplinary panel at the Coventry Holiday Inn last night, chaired by John Spencer and included Paul Murphy and Geoff Payne. Bruce Reece-Russell attended as secretary.

Christian Saverimutto's case was the first on the agenda.

He had allegedly stamped on the head of an opposing player in the away game at Nuneaton on 24th November.

Christian attended the hearing in person, together with Dave Wilcox and I. The referee also attended.

After careful consideration of the evidence from all those present plus video evidence the panel decided that on the balance of probability Christian did not commit the offence for which he was dismissed from the field. The video evidence offered was inconclusive and on the balance of probabilities there was no evidence on which to convict. The case was therefore dismissed.

The second case involved Alistair Atkinson

Alistair was sent of for stamping on the leg of an opposing player in the game against Scunthorpe on 1st December 2001.

In this case the player admitted culpability and did not attend the hearing in person, but was represented by Dave Wilcox and I.

The panel accepted the guilty plea and having taken into consideration that the player had been found guilty of a similar offence in the last 5 years, imposed a suspension of 8 weeks. He will be able to resume playing from 14th Feb. 2001.

Doug Thorpe

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League Div 3 fixture against Scunthorpe R.U.F.C. We extend the warmest of greetings to their players, officials and supporters on this their inaugural visit to New Brighton.

We trust that at the end of the day they will leave here with pleasant memories of our clubhouse hospitality as we did theirs after our away match in September.

That game ended 32-36 in our favour although to be honest it was the away supporters urging the referee to blow the final whistle. Behind 3-27 at half time Scunthorpe then took the game to us and we were fortunate that Paul Brett had his kicking boots on to keep us in profit.

Although they had a slow start to their season they have since run into form culminating in a fine away victory at L.S.H. last Saturday.

We too can hope that the corner has been turned when following a fine 55-10 defeat of Sandal, last Saturday's away victory 23-3 at Nuneaton was arguably our best performance to date.

On the same ground where we had succumbed 31-7 in the National Cup and despite being down to 14 men at half time our players held their composure, played wonderfully as a team and thoroughly deserved their margin of victory.

What also must be kept in mind is the youthfulness of the side for despite the presence of Carl Turley and Mark Dorrington the fact that five teenager were paying must make this side one of our youngest on record.

On the subject of records in recent weeks Mark has overtaken John Lander and Ron Cooper to take over 2nd place in the total number of 1st XV games with 441 appearances he is now only 145 behind Ian Hart. Only 5 seasons at an average of 29 games will get him there!

Tonight the 3rd XV are again raising funds for their now famous end of season tour. They are holding a race-nite starting about 7.00pm and the evening comes complete with refreshments. Please stay on or come back later to give this fine body of men your support.

Next Saturday following the L.S.H. game the Alikadoo's are having their Christmas bash over in Town. Full details of transport and festivities may be found on the notice board.

On Sunday 9th December our squash section are holding an attic sale. There will be a table available on which members can deposit their bric-a-brac, the profits from which will go into club funds.

Finally our congratulations go to Joe Pinnington on his election as Captain Elect of Royal Liverpool Golf Club. How he will cope with that responsibility together with his Cheshire and National League duties perhaps only Joe will know.

Carry on!

G.S.

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League Div 3 match.

Our opponents today are Sandal RUFC from the Wakefield area of Yorkshire and we extend special greetings to their players, officials and supporters.

Although Sandal have struggled somewhat to preserve their National League status over the past couple of seasons they have been at their best when at Reeds Lane.

Two seasons ago just three weeks after being beaten 11-41 at home they reversed that result and won 22-21, a result that ended our title hopes. Last season, despite again a heavy home defeat, they limited the difference here to just 7 points, at a time when points difference was at a premium to us in our chase against Sedgley Park.

Once again they are at the wrong end of the table having beaten Tyredale and drawn with Bedford, both at home.

Unfortunately however we find ourselves down with them in the basement department having only victories against Scunthorpe and West Hartlepool and a draw against Dudley to show for our efforts. On the optimistic side it must be pointed out that only two of our seven fixtures have been at home and that away point at Dudley is the only one they have dropped so far. Our last home game against West Hartlepool ended 69-5 and showed what we can do. Lets get behind the team and give them plenty of vocal support.

Off the pitch the clubhouse continues to be modernised and the tea / meal bar will be fully up and running in the very near future.

We are delighted to announce that the Mockbeggar Dining Club has been resurrected and our next gourmet evening will be on November 30th. The aim is to provide a three course set menu for about £10.00 per head + wine. All are welcome to join - please see Colin Richardson after the game.

Enjoy the afternoon.

After a blank weekend New Brighton travel North to face Tynedale on Saturday in a game that could well determine the outcome to the remainder of their season. Tailing 8 points off the pace, but with a game in hand, the Blues pre season potential has so far failed to produce the form expected of their new squad.

A series of stuttering performances has nevertheless shown a back division with the fire power to score points against anyone in their league but an unfamiliar frailty in defence and a distinct inability to establish a firm platform and a regular supply of ball from the forwards has so far cost the Reeds Lane men dearly.

Injuries to locks Dave Urwin and Jay Sturret hit the Blues hard. Good big men are at a premium in any league and especially hard to come by in National Division 2. Andy Atkinson and Jez Lamb have been forced into second row duty to support Paul Campbell, the clubs only fit front line specialist lock. To their credit Atkinson and Lamb have performed well in the engine room role, but their height and weight has in-turn been sorely missed in the back row.

Under 21 International prop Tim Morton was thrown into the team, still struggling for match fitness having missed the pre season conditioning following surgery on his back in the summer. The big Irishman is now fully fit, as is No 8 Jon Sewell. These two promise to have a big impact as the Blues gradually return to full strength and continue to develop their new line up. The result at Doncaster was the worst defeat New Brighton have experienced in the past ten years but it could be that the darkest hour is just before the dawn!

This week's lay off is perhaps highly fortunate for the Blues. With players coming off the injured list and fourteen days to put things back in place before the Tyndale New Brighton could well bounce back in what will prove a real barometer to the rest of their season. If the big men return to the form and dominance that won the forward battle against West Hartlepool, the fire power of Fredericks, Coast, Toupoa and the ever improving Moore in the backs will score points against the Tynesiders as will full back Brett who has consistently kicked the goals so far this season to rack up 85 points and place him as the leagues third top scorer.

A win on Saturday is crucial for New Brighton to set them up for, what on paper seems, a comfortable home game with Sandal in two weeks before the difficult trip to the Midlands to face Nuneaton who dumped them out of the cup so convincingly last month. By then big Dave Irwin should be close to a 1st XV return and the Blues at last will be able to field a side as physically big as their opposition.

Dudley Kingswinford's win over Doncaster on Saturday suggests that the Blues draw in the Midlands in September was perhaps not such a bad result. With LSH, Darlington, Dudley Kingswinford and Doncaster all able to take points off each other and with only 6 games played so far all is far from lost in the Reeds Lane ambitions this season. What is however certain is that Saturdays result is crucial if the Blues are to make a real start at putting their season back on track.

Good afternoon and welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National League 3 fixture. We of course extend special greetings to today's visitors, Whitchurch RFC, their players officials and supporters, who are making a quick return here after last week's National Cup tie.

That match ended 32-21 in our favour although few would argue that the margin flattened us and indeed before a last fifteen minute resurgence we were on the back foot and in danger of surrendering our lead. Had it not been for resilient defence on our part and woeful kicking on theirs the result could easily have gone the other way.

That is of course conjecture but what is certain is that the opposition will be more confident of achieving a result today.

Whatever that result we know that our own visitors good humour and conviviality will warm the clubhouse after the game, and we for our part will look forward to the return leg next March.

TODAYS SPONSORS

Interbrew (UK) Ltd, the suppliers of Boddingtons and other fine ales to New Brighton are the club's major sponsor for 2001/2 and therefore fitting that for our first home league game they are today's sponsors. We trust that as always Simon Porter and his guests do justice to their products.

Co sponsoring the game is our own immediate Past President, Denis Morgan in the guise of Denis Morgan PLc. We all know what a good egg Denis is so I won't embarrass him further.

N.B. GOLF TOURNAMENT

To be played at Caldy Golf Club in October. Mike Green has arranged this tournament and his open to all members and their guests. Please see main notice board for details.

SEASON TICKETS

Guy Hughes has them on sale from today:

Adults - £50.00

Concessions - £30.00

Enjoy the game.

Welcome to Reeds Lane for today's National Cup fixture against our fellow National League opponents, Whitchurch R.F.C. We of course extend special greetings to their players, officials and supporters and trust they have an enjoyable afternoon with us.

It won't take long to find out because by chance we are all back here next Saturday for our 1st home league match of the 2001/2 season.

Although we have a 100% record in our six league games they are usually close hard fought affairs and it would be dangerous to draw any conclusions from that form guide especially when only three or four of NB's side of a year ago are playing today.

The winners today will have home advantage against 2nd Division Harrogate in the next round to be played in two weeks time. Fresh from their eight try romp against Waterloo they will be tough opposition for either club.

SPONSORS

We are delighted to announce that to compliment our main sponsor, Interbrew U.K. Ltd, we have two new major co-sponsors here at Reeds Lane. Tesco Extra and High Street Vouchers have decided to support us and we look forward to entertaining their personel and guests during the coming weeks.

May we also take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, both old and new - please enjoy yourselves. There are still opportunities to sponsor either a game or a match ball. Don't wait to be asked, see Guy in the office or put your name on the notice-board.

SEASON TICKETS

Guy Hughes has them on sale from today:

Adults - £50.00

Concessions - £30.00

LAW CHANGES

This season the only major change is to the maul law, the idea being to enable teams to commit opponents by restarting a stationary maul.

"If the opposition stops a "driving maul" the team in possession is allowed 5 seconds to restart the maul moving forward. Failure to do so will result in a scrum to the opposition (turnover). Teams will be allowed only one attempt to restart each maul; at the second "stoppage" 'use it or lose it' applies".

MATCH OFFICIALS

We offer no apology for printing our annual warning to spectators concerning verbal abuse of match officials.

It reflects badly on NB, is always counter effective and will do nothing to stem the flow of referees hanging up their boots because the enjoyment is no longer there.

Good humoured banter is accepted, even enjoyed by referees but let keep it at that!

Enjoy the game.

In a joint announcement ambitious New Brighton and Interbrew UK Ltd. confirm their sponsorship association for the new season.

Confirming their ongoing sponsorship of the New Brighton Rugby Club, brewing giants Interbrew UK Ltd., whose range includes Stella Artois, Boddingtons, Heineken Murphy's Flowers and Labatts, have left the door open for another major to join them and the Reeds Lane initiative to bring top class rugby to the Wirral.

John Kennedy, Interbrew Regional Account Controller, said:

"We have been supplying our international range of beers and lagers to New Brighton Football club for over 40 years and are delighted to be continuing our full and active sponsorship of the Rugby Club. Our Boddingtons logo will be displayed on the arm of the playing strip giving New Brighton the opportunity to invite another business major to join us in our effort to develop top class rugby on the Wirral. "

Alistair Saverimutto, New Brighton Director of Rugby said:

"In renewing their full sponsorship support of the rugby team for the coming season Interbrew UK Ltd have very generously allowed us to offer the front panel of the first XV shirt, previously featuring Boddingtons, to another sponsor who shares our desire to take Wirral rugby forward to the higher levels of the game. A significant sponsorship opportunity now exists for a company who would like to join with us and see their name and logo displayed on the First XV strip at this important and exciting time in our development."

Harry Leyland, New Brighton Club Chairman, added:

"The club developed significantly following our promotion to the National League. Continued playing success with our cup and league promotion battles has generated larger crowds, greater media coverage and much wider public interest. The general profile of the club is so very much higher now but we are keen to continue to build on our success moving onwards and upwards to the higher divisions.

Success generates demands for better players and coaching, logically this requires additional finance. The time is now right for another major to join with us and Interbrew in taking New Brighton and Wirral Rugby to the next level. "

City Independent Financial Advisors PJR, who's HQ is based in Liverpool's Liver Buildings, are sponsoring the Wirral Rugby Academy to the sum of £25,000 for the coming season. PJR's sponsorship could be doubled with Sports Match support enabling the Academy to build on its outstanding achievements of the past twelve months.

John Crutchley a Director of the PJR Group said:

"We are delighted to be sponsoring the PJR Rugby Academy. Pursuing excellence and striving to be the best is precisely what the PJR Group is all about. It is fitting that we encourage and support those seeking to achieve international honours with the Academy. We anticipate an exciting and challenging season and are looking forward to see many old friends at making new ones at the Academy matches"

Wirral Academy Director, Alistair Saverimutto said:

"PJR's sponsorship is wonderful news for the Wirral Academy. We made great strides last year and are looking forward to even greater challenge and achievement in the season ahead. The PJR and Sports Match funding enables us to keep together the outstanding group of coaches and support team that that made so much progress with the team last year.

In welcoming PJR on board I would like to pay tribute to Marcus Bemrose, Lees Lloyd Whitley, Caldy Rugby Club and Sports Match who made it possible to launch the nations first independent rugby academy right here on the Wirral. Whilst others continue to talk about setting up academies we are entering our second years and continue to plough a bright new furrow on Merseyside paving the way for the rest to follow"

The PJR Rugby Academy have a tough fixture list in the forthcoming season with a particularly tasty appointment with rugby giants Bath at Reeds Lane early in October.

There was a time when the middle of August signalled the time for a dedicated rugby player to dig his kit out of the closet and clean his boots for training. Not so today’s when the summer lay off seems little more than a long weekend. Wirral’s young aspirants in the Academy have been training since June, a factor which deservedly earned than a 10 – 10 draw as they battled back to level the spoils after trailing 10 – 0 against a very good Edinburgh District side.

Clearly the short summer message has extended north of the boarder as the Edinburgh side quickly eased into the routine that has earned them the Scottish Districts Championship for the past two seasons. Wirral enjoyed the best of the field position for all of three minutes before the Scots took control up front to launch a relentlessly pounding on the Wirral’s defence. To their credit the local lads did well to hold the line as the pressure grew on all fronts. Centre Tom Phillips was on fire for the Scots drawing the very best from Wirral’s defence to halt his scything runs.

The pressure was bound to tell drawing a penalty on 17 minutes that Edinburgh stand off, Sam Hendry converted with ease. Immediately from the restart the Scots were back in attack putting Wirral very much on the back foot. On 18 minutes a flowing move between backs and forwards saw the break that let eventually broke through an impressive defence to set full back Matthew Graham through for a try converted by Hendry.

Wirral 0 – 10 Edinburgh 25 on mins

Battling hard to stay in touch Wirral held their line and were even staging a few attacks of their own as the half drew to a close. Powerful runs from the base of the scrum by the impressive Adam Kettle and Dave Ibbitson built a good position for the home side, but early season handling errors in the backs prevented the breakthrough they were looking for.

Half Time: Wirral 0 – 10 Edinburgh

In that well used football expression, "this was a game of two halves". An early penalty well struck by Ben Wylie early in the half was all the encouragement the Wirral lads needed. A battling display from the pack won the possession they had failed to secure in the opening half allowing scrum half Alan Hesketh to launch his backs to dynamic effect. Ben Wylie varied the plays well at No 10 and the contest was on for real. Wirral’s flying centre Swinscoe drew immense support from the crowd every time he touched the ball, somewhat reminiscent of the famed Mrs.Underwood and family supporting her sons at Twickenham.

Wirral were now well in the game and began to exert pressure of their own as the moves practiced on the training field began to gel and the passes go to hand. It was no more than the local lads deserved when Ian White burst through on the hour to score under the post leaving the conversion a mere formality for Wylie.

Wirral 10 – 10 Edinburgh 60 on mins

Wirral had their chance to win it close to the end but it was not to be and a draw probably a fair refection of the game. The memories coming from this encounter must surly be the quality of our local team competing at such a high level with the Scottish District Champions. Commencing its second season Wirral’s Rugby Academy has come of age and must now surly rate with the best in the land. Roll on Bath!

Final: Wirral 10 – 10 Edinburgh

The anticipation in the air at Reeds Lane is electric as New Brighton prepare to unveil their new look star-studded team in a mouth watering clash with Preston Grasshoppers. Billed as a ‘Pre-Season Preview Party’ the game moves into a new dimension with news that the Blues have secured two sensational signings to bolster their already impressive line up.   The players secured in this last minute recruitment drive are highly rated Australian centre Riaz Fredericks and Tim Morton an Irish U21 prop previously with Newcastle Falcons.

Blues rugby supremo Alastair Saverimutto said  “Rugby Union is a happening sport around the globe. Attendances, TV and Media coverage are already at an all time high and set to break all previous records in the new season. It is imperative for the future of Wirral rugby that New Brighton gear up to the challenge. We have a good squad but the new signings are the icing on the cake. Riaz  will be straight into the front line and I’m sure Tim will be in the frame once as soon as he gets match fit.

  The signing of Riaz Fredericks is a personal coup for Rick Shuttleworth of the Blues Coaching team. “I first saw Riaz playing in the Sydney Premier Division and was immensely impressed with his skill, vision, pace and all round power. I recruited him when I coached Hong Kong. Riaz was an outstanding player for me, helping to recorded notable victories at International level over the likes of Canada, USA and Japan. He was a great 15 a side player and proved to be immense in 10 a-side tournaments where I saw him inspire victories over Queensland Reds, several Australian Divisional sides and the Fiji International Ten. As a 7s player he is a legend in Hong Kong. We have secured a very special player whose flamboyant skills will prove a real crowd pleaser”

  Riaz (27) played for Bedford and Ulster during his time in the UK and again built up a big reputation as a free running inspirational centre. Joining the Blues Riaz said   “Coach Shuttleworth and I go back a long way. Him being here was an important element in making my decision to move to the Wirral. I am very happy to be playing again in a side that he is associated with. I very much look forward to meeting the fans on Sunday and can them that I will be doing my best in the team to make this a memorable championship season.”

  Tim Morton is the second of the latest signings. Irish U21 International Tim joins the Blues form Newcastle Falcons and Northumbria University. Tim underwent a minor surgical procedure earlier in the summer for a non-rugby related condition. The 18 stone prop missed out on his pre-season training and has a bit to do to regain match fitness. The giant Irishman has started light training and is on course to be in contention for by mid September.  

Preston Challenge

Blues Rugby supremo Alastair Saverimutto will be keen to see just how well his new signings gel with the established Blues front line players in Sundays clash with Preston.  “We’re all delighted with the latest signings that bring even more real quality to the squad. We’re close to knowing our front line selection and the Preston game will be a good indication of where we are in terms of preparation for the season. We’ve all been working very hard in the pre season but the experienced Preston present a tougher test than the training field. We’re all looking forward to playing a proper game against quality opposition and I’m sure Sunday will be a great day for players and fans alike”

With so many new faces in the New Brighton squad this season, fans, coaches and officials alike have a lot to learn from the Preston encounter.   Having finished third in the league during the past the season New Brighton are determined to go the extra yard to win the promotion the Wirral so desperately seeks.

Saverimutto promises a new look to the playing style to pick up the points and please the fans in the process. “Of course the big men must compete up front but I am looking for a dynamic game from one to fifteen this season.   We’re happy with the squad and confident that we have the players to do the job.”

  South African hooker Paul Saffey is another of the new signings who comes with a big reputation. Paul has been hugely impressive in training and having playing provincial rugby with the Border Bulldogs in front of crowds of 20,000 is used to performing under pressure. The genial Bock said:  " I’m really enjoying myself at New Brighton and like everyone else in the squad am very much relishing this first game. I look forward to meeting the fans on Sunday which promises to be a real fun day for Wirral rugby.”

  Another key performance on Sunday will be that of Ex Ireland International No 9 Christian Saverimutto. It is only two years since Christian was in the Premiership with Sale and the 1995 season when he made such an impact for Ireland in the Five Nations Tournament. With Jim Keulemans and Paul Saffey winning International caps for Holland in the Minor Nations Tournament and Adam Kettle earning selection to England under-19 squad, New Brighton boast no less than seven players with international honours in their squad together with a host of county and North of England players.

“It’s a very exciting time to be at Reeds Lane,” said Chairman of Rugby Neville Waters “ We have   committed to an ambitious investment and development programme designed to keep up with the exciting and challenging advances of the modern game. I’m happy that we are doing our very best for the New Brighton Club, our community and the Wirral in general. I believe this will be our most exciting season for many years.”

  ACADEMY ACTION LAUNCHES RUGBY’S  BIG WEEKEND

Wirral’s highly successful Rugby Academy are in action on Friday at Reeds Lane, KO 7.30, in a prestige fixture with a strong Edinburgh District side.   Wirral’s young guns earned national acclaim last season with their thrilling 12-6 victory over highly rated Worcester in a thriller of a game where the result was in question right to the final seconds.

  The Academy will be announcing their new £25,000 sponsor at the game on Friday and are confidant that they will be able to match the powerful Scottish side after working very hard in a demanding pre season build up that sees them facing some Giants in British Academy rugby including legendary Bath.

  “With significant advances being made at New Brighton and with the Academy entering it’s second season we are really making significant progress in developing the top end of Wirral Rugby. However, there is still much that we have to do in order to keep the Peninsula up to speed with the best elsewhere in the country. This is perhaps the most important season in many decades for all those genuinely interested in keeping our community up to speed with the best of the rest” concluded Alastair Saverimutto.

By Ken Roberts