Dorrington eyes promotion push.

NEW BRIGHTON coach Steve Dorrington believes he now boasts a squad capable of challenging for promotion in North One West.

Injuries and unavailability have forced Dorrington to use 37 players so far this season but he's been pleasantly surprised by the strength in depth at his disposal.

Last Saturday's 40-10 win over Blackburn lifted the Blues into the top half of the table and they are just three points behind second placed Northwich.

"There is a real buzz around the place at the moment and our aim has to be second spot and getting into the play-off," Dorrington said.

"It's a very open division.

Everyone except for Lymm has lost at least three games so far and we're not even halfway through the season yet.

COACH: Dorrington "I believe the team who finishes second will lose five or six so having lost four already we really need to go on a long unbeaten run. We need to put a string of wins together like we did last year when we were unbeaten from November until the end of January. With the strength in depth we've got, we're certainly capable of doing that."

Youngsters like Luke Thompson and Vinnie Dutton have come into the side and grabbed their chance to shine with both hands. As a result a number of experienced players have been left kicking their heels on the sidelines.

"Using 37 players has meant we've not had a lot of continuity but it has meant giving opportunities to some of the young guys," he added.

"Lads like Luke and Vinnie have really stepped up to the plate. They are both wingers and all of a sudden we've got a dangerous backline and because of that we've changed our game plan.

"It's unheard of here to have two wingers scoring tries consistently but they have done well, kept their place and some of the older players have found themselves without a shirt.

"We haven't had that strength over the past three or four years and from my point of view it's great.

"Numbers in training are up and the players are showing good aggression towards each other."

New Brighton are reaping the benefits of the decision to relaunch their junior section a few years ago and re-establish links with the University of Liverpool.

Dorrington said: "For too long we relied on drafting people into the club rather than bringing through youngsters.

"It wasn't sustainable but now we've got about 250 kids from under-9s up to colts. We're seeing the fruits of our labours with three or four guys progressing into the first team this season.

Steve "The link with the university is also really important. For some reason it fell away but we've got it going again. The university have a strong side and we have benefited from that, picking up some of their best first team guys.

"The really pleasing thing for me is that so many players are now working to raise funds for the club. Before we had guys who came in, used the club and left. Now we've got players who want to get stuck in and help out."

The Blues, who are without a game today, travel to Broughton Park next Saturday. They will be boosted by the return of skipper Kati Tuipulotu who has spent three weeks back in Tonga.

CAPTION(S):

COACH: Steve Dorrington ON THE CHARGE: Blues skipper Kati Tuipulotu