FAN power once again is seen as the key to New Brighton's aspirations of national glory, when they entertain sixth placed Stockton on Saturday in a vital Thwaites League North Division One match at Reeds Lane (kick-off 2.30pm).

To encourage Wirral families to support New Brighton in their drive for promotion, the club is offering free family admission to this match.

National League rugby is very much on the cards for New Brighton. The Blues need to win their remaining games and history will be made if the Wirral club can lift the Championship to earn that one priceless promotion spot.

Following the success at Aspatria on Saturday, New Brighton's seven County heroes return to Reeds Lane to join their team for yet another 'must win' encounter.

In-form Stockton, having only lost once in the league since November, pose a stiff test for the Blues. The Teesiders' 10-10 draw in January with top of the table Doncaster demands New Brighton be in top form for this one.

With the exception of Davies and O'Hare, all of New Brighton's squad are available for the game. Blues' selectors will have an interesting job to sort out their strongest line-up after some great performances in New Brighton's 34-0 Wirral Combination success at Wirral RUFC last weekend.

Prop Sean Mooney opened the New Brighton scoring, crashing over after a sustained period of Blues' pressure. Greg Bourne ran fully 60 yards for the first of his tries, opening a 12-0 lead for the Blues with Andy Nelson's conversion.

Full back Robby Harman completed the first-half scoring with a fine effort.

Facing a stiff breeze, Wirral defended well for 15 minutes until Jez Lamb broke through to score, Nelson's conversion easing the Blues to a comfortable 24-0 lead.

Adrian Thompson, playing well into the centre berth, did the hard work to put Paul Miller in to score for 29-0. Greg Bourne grabbed his second try late on after a good break from scrum-half Hywell Williams. Nelson added the conversion.

But New Brighton 'A' lost 9-22 at Wallasey. There were touch downs for Steve Guest, Clive Hunter, Phil Thompson and Dave Lloyd, plus a Colin Kirby goal.

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