Leicestershire 18pts, Cheshire 38pts

NEW Brighton's 'Captain Courageous', Kevin Brookman, led Cheshire to an impressive victory at Leicestershire in the opening game of this year's County Championship at the weekend.

Nine New Brighton players were on county service and Brookman could be excused for considering the Syston outing a 'Blues Bonanza'. Scoring twice himself and seeing teammate Ian Kennedy weigh in with two more dazzling tries, it must have seemed just like a day at the office for the Reeds Lane man.

Kennedy was the first to score, moving from his left wing to cross on the far right of the field.

Defending a 31-6 interval lead, Cheshire were put under severe pressure up front in the second period, but they defended well and the converted try by Murray King (Widnes) effectively ended the contest, although Leicestershire gained some consolation with two late tries.

New Brighton's Cheshire representatives were Kevin Brookman (captain), Ian Kennedy, Mark & Steve Dorrington, Jeff Jones, Andy Whalley, Alex Guest, Hefin O'Hare and Mike Briars (coach).

Cheshire are in action again this Sunday, when they entertain Lancashire at Sale.

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