Rugby Scene with Andrew Stratton

JON Sewell is the new club captain at New Brighton and will also take the coaching duties for the coming season, along with Steve Dakin and Tongan Kati Tuipulotu.

A number of key players are moving on from Hartsfield - and that could make life tough in National League Division Three North, but new Chairman of Rugby Carl Davies is confident of a good campaign.

Chris Planchant and Adam Kettle have been playing in New Zealand during the Summer and and look set to return to new challenges. Planchant will probably link up with Orrell, along with last season's captain, Richard Bradshaw, while Kettle is possibly earmarked for Bedford.

Paul Brett has joined Chester, Matt Pennington has moved in with Birkenhead Park and Anthony Birley is now at Macclesfield. Ian Davies is emigrating to Australia.

"The players are pulling together well after a lot of turmoil last season, when we had a horrendous run of injuries," said Davies. "We aim to keep building up the squad as the playing programme continues."

The Blues expect to announce the signing of an Aussie prop within the next month. Meanwhile, Damian Penisini is still around and Mark Dorrington will also help out.

Jez Lamb, who had a spell at Caldy but did not play much last season, is back in the camp, along with Steve Fox, who has moved back to the area.

Richard Halpin, who has been at University, should figure in the centre and Wayne Clayton, one of the injury victims, is now fully fit again.

New Brighton have fixed their first pre-season friendly for tomorrow evening (Thursday) at West Park and will then come up against Caldy at Hartsfield, Reeds Lane, Moreton, on Saturday (August 27).

Their first scheduled league match is at Leicester Lions on September 3, followed by a trip to Nuneaton.

Saturday, September 17 is set aside for the Powergen Trophy, although the Blues may not be involved in the competition until a later date.

The first home game is fixed for Saturday, September 24, when newly-promoted Hull Ionians visit Hartsfield.

Birkenhead Park, meanwhile, started their pre-season campaign with a 62-5 victory over Isle of Man outfit Vagabonds at the Upper Park on Saturday.

New men Matt Pennington and Greg Hughes gained two tries each, along with Stephen Dodd. Christian Saverimutto, Martin Sutton, Marc Harris and Paul Kay also touched down. Alex Davies converted six times.

The Islanders brought a big squad and put up a brave fight, but were outclassed. Park looked particularly strong in the backs, but have work to do up front.

They go to Lymm for another pre-season friendly on Saturday before their Powergen Trophy date at Morpeth at the start of September.