AFTER a slow start to the season, New Brighton finally hit the ground running with a splendid performance to earn a well deserved victory over the North Two West leaders.

A bright start, which produced a try after only four minutes, put the Wirral side in the right frame of mind and they were even able to hold onto their lead near the end when two players short.

The performances of scrum half Alan Hesketh and his partner Stephen Dean were most impressive.

The pack did pretty well, too, with the powerful Ryan Stead outstanding and the whole side should be credited for the way they fought to hang on to their advantage.

Scrum half Hesketh set them on their path to victory in the opening minutes with an excellent pass to Marcus Coast, who then released Greg Hughes with an enormous pass that enabled the New Brighton player to dive over.

Rochdale fought back hard, but with their forwards playing well it was New Brighton who got a second try through John Brotherton, which Dean also converted.

Rochdale centre Jonny Mair finally got his side moving with a fine try shortly before the interval, while Dean added a home penalty to keep them 17-7 in front at the halfway mark.

A Dean penalty and a further try by Catt, created by the dangerous Hesketh, seemed to have clinched matters for the home side but things changed dramatically when both Hesketh and Coast were sent to the sin bin.

Substitute Mulkeen made an immediate impression for the visitors, scoring a try from a cross kick by Collins, who added the conversion and then followed up with a huge penalty as the visitors threatened to overturn their deficit.

However Gareth Simpson had the last word for the hosts with a 45 yard break to score an excellent try.

New Brighton are now showing signs of becoming serious promotion candidates.