Aspatria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18pts, New Brighton . . . . . . . . . . 24pts

NEW Brighton will be happy with Saturday's Tetley Bitter Cup win over Aspatria as the Cumbrian champions were always going to provide tough opposition on their own turf.

The Reeds Lane men were unable to convert pressure into points, though the deadlock was broken when Brett slotted a penalty on 10 minutes and narrowly failed with a second five minutes later.

Wirrals's big men were rewarded with a penalty try for persistent scrumming offences by the Cumbrians on the half hour. Brett kicked the conversion to open up a 10-points gap.

As half-time approached, New Brighton took their foot off the gas to allow Aspatria back in as Scott kicked a penalty. Just after the re-start, a silly turnover allowed the Cumbrians to score a second successful penalty by Scott.

The Blues stormed back and Brett kicked two penalties. Hodgers then scored a crashover try before the home side registered two pushover tries.

This Saturday, the Blues travel to Cumbria again to face Kendal in the first of two huge league games in as many weeks.

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