NEW Brighton - Wirral's premier rugby club which this season is going all out to put the penninsula on the National League map for the first time - take a break from their pursuit of the Thwaites League North Division One title this Saturday to concentrate on a competition which could take them to Twickenham.

The Blues entertain North West League Division One club Penrith in the NPI Cup - and once again a large crowd is expected at Reeds Lane for what could well be a spectacular New Brighton performance. (kick-off 2.30pm).

This season could well culminate in a sensational 'double' for the Wirral club - promotion to the National League as well an appearance in a Twickenham cup final. It is certainly not beyond the bounds of possibility and, as the Winter gloom descends, it is still all blue skies at New Brighton.

New Brighton (from): S. Dorrington, M. Dorrington, P. Feeley, B. Hearn, S. Gallagher, C. Turley, S. Fox, G. Jones, L. Hodgers, K. Brookman (Captain), H. Williams, P. Gazzola, P. Kay, L. Connor, A. Guest, H. O'Hare, A. Whalley, S. Hancock, C. Sutton, P. Kennedy.

Further evidence of the calibre of the squad which carries New Brighton's sky high hopes this season is the number of players who have been called up for either county or national duty. No fewer than eight New Brighton players have been so honoured . . .

Tonight, Cheshire play Yorkshire in a warm-up 'friendly' before the start of the county fixtures and included in their squad are six New Brighton stars - Steve and Mark Dorrington, Jeff Jones, Kevin Brookman (Cheshire captain), Andy Whalley and 18-year-old Heifin O'Hare.

Two other New Brighton players, Ian Kennedy and Steve Hancock, starred for Great Britain Firemen in the victory over The Army last Wednesday and receive further caps tonight when the Firemen are in action again.

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