NEW BRIGHTON’S scrum-half options could be reduced this season due to the non-availability of a couple of players.

Mike Gallimore who was making good progress after a broken leg sustained last season has work commitments and Alan Hesketh is hoping to go off on his travels again. His last venture took him to the USA and he has since attended work camps.

Both players were present at training earlier this week so the situation could still change.

Sean Ellis figured at the base of the scrum in last Saturday’s game against Northwich and did a good job.

The encounter brought a much-needed 36-27 victory and now the Blues believe they can make a marked move up the North Two West table.

They are currently 10th after seven matches played, but the gap to leaders Rochdale is only seven points. It is important Brighton take something from this Saturday’s trip to Lymm, who are below them in the division.

Kati Tuipulotu continues to lead by example for the Blues. The back-row man maintained his excellent scoring record this season with a hat-trick of touch-downs against Northwich. The other two tries were credited to prop Lotu Nueneutau and certainly forward power could have a big say in the weeks ahead.

Saturday’s man of the match award went to lock Paul Lewis.

Brighton’s Lees Cheshire Cup derby against Birkenhead Park will have a Saturday date rather than being played in midweek. The clubs who went out of national cup competitions have taken advantage of a blank league Saturday on December 13, but the situation could change.

Birkenhead won the toss for choice of venue and the semi-final will be at the Upper Park.

NEXT GAME: Lymm v New Brighton, North Two West, Saturday.