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Brighton new boys in town

10/11/2007

ROCHDALE entertain New Brighton today, for the first time ever, in what could prove to be a crucial North 2 West league match.

The hosts go into today’s game on the back of a three-match losing sequence, following last week’s poor performance at Sandbach.

Coach Mick Gould is hoping that was just one of those days when things don’t go right, and he will be looking for a much better display today.

New Brighton were relegated from North 1 last season and have started the season reasonably well, so it promises to be a tough encounter.

Tom Helliwell returns to the starting line-up after missing last week’s game through injury. Jonathan Rhodes starts alongside him, and Ross Hartley also returns after injury.

The Seconds travel to New Brighton for what also promises to be a hard league game.

The Thirds are at Manchester, also in the league, while the Vets are at home to Chester in the newly inaugurated Vets League.

FIRST XV (v New Brighton, at home. Meet club 1pm): N Sunderland, A O’Brien, D Slamon, J Rhodes, T Helliwell, R Hartley, L Riddle, M Bradwell, D James, G Wellings, M Thomas, J Mair, B Cullen, A Howorth, R Blackburn, A Redman, D Healey, G Adams.

SECOND XV (v New Brighton, away, meet at club at noon): W Birtwell, K Parry, R Ward, J Hartnett, S Candler, S Humphreys, C Kane, D Bamford, A Farrer, N Green, A Parashak, S Campbell, D Bowers, J van Wyk, J Finnigan, T Callaghan, T Owens, J.Flitcroft.

THIRD XV (v Manchester, away, meet club at noon): H Hill, S Stevens, R Turnbull, J Smithies, S McGuire, C Nield, S Tomlinson, J Finn, R Baker, J Barton, T Porter, S Herman, O Horne, K Ahmed, R Parry, B Sampola, V September, T Hardman, B Fudge, J Flitcroft.

VETS XV (v Chester, at home, meet at club 1.30pm): Players as carded.

LITTLEBOROUGH entertain Bolton this afternoon – kick-off 2.15pm.

The have trained well this week and, following last week’s defeat at top-of-the-table Heaton Moor, captain, Chris Kolbuck has focused on Boro’s ability to turn pressure into points.

He was disappointed as Moor only had four attacks, but managed to cross the line each time.

Boro again have changes this week. Hooker, Fletcher is unavailable so Ed Klieve regains the number two shirt he lost through injury.

Mark Forden is back after injury, and Dickinson returns after the birth of his first child,

After last week’s home win over Bury the second team travel to Garstang in what will be a tough game. The team, though, are on a high after good wins in recent weeks.

The third team are at home to Aldwinians and will be looking to build on their win last weekend against Buxton seconds. Bob Webster names his normal squad.

Cry-offs ring Brian.

FIRST XV (v Bolton, at home, meet 12.45pm): R Davies, D Kearns, T Galvin, G Shepherd, M Jackson, A Walton, C Kolbuck, B Irving, P Fino, B Reader, C Collins, M Forden, S Bairstow, E Klieve, M Murgatroyd, S Ripley, P Jones, S Dickinson.

SECOND XV (v Garstang, away, meet noon): G Bailey, D Osterchuck, R Deardon, M Keiley, G Pickstow, A Stevenson, B Park, C Grocott, G STansfield, A Coles, R Savin, P Hornby, J Bex, S Rusden, A Bracegirdle, J Galvin, S Shepherd, B Kershaw, D Booth, S Farrell, I Murgatroyd, T Lord.

THIRD XV (v Aldwinians at home, meet 1.15pm): M Wystanowha, J Cross, J Land, C Gedy, D Ryan, P Blomfield, A Bills, P Benson, D Schofield, T Fraternalli, M Delaney, J Bebbington, J Clegg, B Webster, B Pollitt, L Harris, M Hamer, S Wystanowha.