AFTER A disappointing defeat at Waterloo last week the Blues bounced back in fine style to record their most convincing win of the season against a lively Dudley Kingswinford side.

New Brighton, playing against the wind, went on the attack from the kick off and immediately setting up a commanding position in the Dudley Kingswinford 22.

The prospect of an early score was frustrated with a fumbled pass. Dudley Kingswinford - now in possession - kicked the ball downfield and after a New Brighton player lost the ball in the tackle and another kick ahead, the roles were reversed with the visitors in the home 22.

Steve Smart chipped through and followed up to score and after Mike McKenzie had converted, Dudley Kingswinford were seven points up and only five minutes gone.

The play swung backwards and forwards between the 22 metre lines with both sides playing some exciting rugby but with a combination of poor finishing and some excellent defence, neither side were able to cross the line.

A rolling maul by New Brighton was judged to have been held up while Dave Wood was judged to have not grounded the ball properly after an excellent build up which really deserved better.

Mike McKenzie, in the meantime, had kicked two penalty goals to a single Antony Birley penalty to give the visitors a half time lead of 13-3.

New Brighton took advantage of the wind in the second half and improved handling saw Ian Wynn over the line within three minutes of the restart, with a well worked try converted by Antony Birley to make it 10-13.

The Blues kept up the pressure with aggressive defending which was rewarded when Steve Ormisher crossed on the right.

Antony Birley completed with a difficult conversion and the Blues were in the lead for the first time in the game, 17-13.

New Brighton ran the ball straight back on the restart and Antony Birley, following a chip over the line, scored near the post, from which position he had no difficulty making the conversion and it was 24-13 to the now cruising Blues.

The Blues, in a comfortable lead, thought that they had done enough and took the foot off the gas. Dudley Kingswinford, whose backs always looked dangerous with ball in hand, came back strongly and after sustaining a considerable period of pressure, they succeeded in overstretching the Blues defence and a nicely timed final pass put lock Simon Homer over for an excellent try, conversion missed.

Stung by this reverse New Brighton moved into top gear from the restart and with backs and forwards moving well, a couple of long passes across the field gave Ian Murray the spa e he needed to score a great try on the left wing.

The kick was missed but New Brighton were back in charge 29-18.

Dudley Kingswinford responded with some great attacking rugby to no effect.

It was only eight minutes later that a combined backs and forwards movement opened a gap which Adam Kettle exploited to put the game out of the visitors reach, putting the ball down behind the posts to make the score 36-18 with the conversion.

It was left to Antony Birley administer the 'coup de grace' with a penalty goal two minutes into injury time for a final score of 39-18.

New Brighton are away on Saturday at newly promoted Macclesfield.

On Boxing Day there is the Annual Christmas Bash with a New Brighton XV playing an Old Birkonian Presidents XV.

Then on Saturday January 3 Hartsfield will be hosting Waterloo for the return league fixture when the Blues will be eager to avenge the recent mauling they suffered away at Blundellsands.