New Brighton . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 pts, Bedford Ath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7pts

MARCO Dorrington, New Brighton's legendary 19-stone prop forward, celebrated his 400th appearance for the Blues with a resounding victory, on Saturday. In the 135-year history of the club, only four other players - Ian Hart, Steve Miles, John Lander and Ron Cooper - have achieved 400 games for the 1st XV, all being front rows.

Phil Davies got the nod in the second row in place of Shawn Gallagher, otherwise the team was unchanged from that which beat Liverpool St Helens the previous week.

Jim Lyle, Phil Gazolla and Bernie Hearn were on the bench.

The Blues made a good start in ideal conditions against a Bedford side which, incredibly, beat them earlier in the season.

Revitalised New Brighton ran the ball from everywhere at every opportunity. Coast and Brett were relentless with the pressure and 'man of the match' Steve O'Connor played with a composure and style way beyond his 19 years.

Brett failed with a difficult sixth minute penalty attempt, but Bedford were only able to hang on for a further three minutes, when an impressive and powerful forward effort left Hodgers with the simple task of dropping on the ball from a push over scrum. Brett failed with the conversion (5-0).

The visitors battled hard to stay in the game, but when Coast scored under the posts on 19 minutes, after chasing a kick ahead from the halfway line, their confidence was severely dented. Brett converted (12-0).

Brett added a penalty to set the Blues on fire. An unstoppable forward effort set Hodgers up for his second push over try. Brett converted to complete the first-half scoring (22-0).

Immediately following the re-start, the Blues were again in full cry. A blistering move ended with Brett scoring a fabulous try, which he failed to convert, but his score effectively settled the contest (27-0).

Possibly the best move of the match followed, again involving forwards and backs in a passing extravaganza ending with Steve O'Connor scoring. Brett converted (34-0).

Brett punished the visitors for persistent offences with penalties on 55 and 56 minutes before Phil Davies crashed over for a try which Brett converted (47-0).

Lincoln scored a consolation try for Bedford which Tapper converted (47-7).

The visitors were reduced to 14 men on 69 minutes when Gregory received a red card.

New Brighton No 9 Rhys Hughes dived over the line, Brett failing to convert (52-7) and then, on 75 minutes, Phil Davis crowned an excellent afternoon's effort by powering in for his second score. Brett failed to convert (57-7).

There was still one more score to come from the rampaging Blues. Marcus Coast, returning to his best form, rounded off another flowing move to score the try. Brett converted to take his match tally to 27 points.

INTERNATIONAL rugby comes to Wirral on Friday (March 3), when England play Wales at New Brighton's Reeds Lane, Moreton, ground in the Under-21 Six Nations Championship (kick-off 7pm).

Tickets are available from the New Brighton club (Tel: 677-2442.

Hoylake youngster Heffin O'Hare is scheduled to play for the Dragons, while Wirral's Matty Cairns is due to pull on the white shirt of England.

It promises to be a spectacular night for rugby fans at Reeds Lane.

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