Chester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18pts, New Brighton . . . . . . . . . . 47pts

NEW Brighton won the Thwaites Cheshire Senior Cup on Sunday in fine style. It was a measure of just how far the Blues have developed in recent years that although Chester took a fourth minute lead, New Brighton always knew they were going to win it.

The Blues lost prop Phil Gazolla on five minutes with an injured knee and with Marco Dorrington and Lee McCourt out with injury and Sean Mooney unavailable, the Blues were forced to call on second XV hooker Darren Davis to step into the hot seat.

Wayne Pugh scored the early try that resulted in Chester establishing a 5-0 lead, but the Blues were level five minutes later when Ian Kennedy stormed over for a try and Murray King converted to edge ahead 5-7.

Good possession from the New Brighton forwards saw Marcus Coast set up Paul Brett for a try which King converted for 5-14 on 36 minutes.

Astbury kicked a penalty for Chester, but a devastating spell from Coast saw New Brighton score twice in three minutes. King converted one for an 8-26 interval lead.

Tries continued in the second-half. Jones went over and King converted to give the Blues an 8-33 lead, only for Chester to rally with a penetrating forward drive, skipper Peter Craven crashing over to score, but the conversion was missed.

Coast powered through for his hat-trick, King converting, before Chester scored a late try.

New Brighton travel to lowly Lichfield in the Jewsons National League Two on Saturday. With just three games left, the Blues trail leaders Preston by six points and second place Stourbridge by four points. The Blues have only a mathematical chance of promotion now and, although they have done well in their first season in the National League, they know they could have done much better.

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