THE Red and Greens rounded off their league season with an impressive 50-7 victory over Paviors.

The omens were not good for Paviors early on as their attempted kick-off failed to travel the required ten metres and Rasen opted for the centre-field scrummage.

Rasen remained on the front foot, as a delicate chip from fly-half Jake Goodison was gathered by skipper Dave Starling, who released Nick Harvey on the ten-metre line.

And the winger scorched in under the uprights to leave full-back Matt Sutton with an easy conversion.

Paviors looked to be recovering from their early set-back, until lock Ben Fawcett was harshly sin-binned for kicking the ball away just as the referee blew for a penalty in the 17th minute.

This was the cue for the usual Red and Green routine, which was performed with ruthless efficiency to enable prop Chris Starling to go over, with Sutton again adding the conversion.

Imposing prop Ollie Cole then brushed aside a host of hapless defenders to cross over the line.

From the restart, Cole was back in action as he fielded the kick and charged through the Paviors defence before the ball was released to Adam Beasley, who motored in under the posts to secure a bonus point.

Another Sutton conversion quickly followed to put Rasen in a commanding position.

With the half drawing to a close, the hosts mounted another attack as lock Chris Mills drove the ball on before making a superlative one-handed pass, out of the tackle, to put Robinson in at the corner, giving Rasen a 31- 0 lead at the interval.

Seven minutes after the restart, Paviors number eight Nathan Eggleshaw forced himself over the line for the visitors' opening try.

But ten minutes later, the mayhem began as first Leigh Dearden received a yellow card, before the simultaneous ejection of Mills and Goodison left Rasen with 12 players on the pitch.

However, Paviors could not take advantage and shortly after Dearden returned, Sutton made a superb break to pierce the visiting defence and cross the line.

Substitute prop Matt Ashton took possession of Paviors' kick-off and ran 50 metres for a stunning try.

And the Red and Greens underlined their superiority with the final play of the game – scrum-half Jack Noquet snook through a gap for the game's last try.

A BUMPER crowd turned out for the Meggies' final league game of the season – and they were rewarded with a comfortable 38-5 victory over Nottinghamians.

It was the away side that started the stronger, dominating play in the loose and forcing Cleethorpes onto the back-foot for most of the first half.

Despite having the upper hand in the set-piece, Cleethorpes were out-fought at the breakdown and something had to change after the break.

After a goal-less first half, few would have predicted the feast of running rugby that was to follow.

From the restart, the hosts forced a mistake and a great penalty from Steve Broderick gave the home side a line-out five metres out.

A routine catch-and-drive from the resulting maul led to John Marris opening the try scoring for the afternoon, with Broderick converting.

This gave the Meggies confidence they needed and they quickly added to their lead when Pete Southwell intercepted in midfield, and sprinted 60 metres to score, under the posts.

The 'Hamians were now struggling to contain the rampant home side, who were moving the ball with a confidence not seen since the start of the season.

Two more tries were added in no time to finish the game off as a contest.

The task now was not to allow 'Hamians any consolation score, and the hosts stood firm with some impressive defending.

With the ball, Meggies looked like they could score at will – Adam Fanthorpe and Jason Williams soon added to their tallies for the season, with the ever-reliable Broderick converting.

But with only five minutes to go 'Hamians got their deserved score – a hopeful kick over the top, combined with a cruel bounce, allowed the visitors to go over in the corner.

The final league position of seventh is Cleethorpes highest league finish in recent seasons – setting them up well for next year's campaign.

On Saturday, Meggies will entertain league champions Boston in the semi-final of the Lincs Junior Cup.

GRIMSBY Town 2nds host Caistor Town 2nds tomorrow in what could prove to be the pick of this weekend's Lincolnshire County League fixtures.

It will be the first game of the season for Kevin Parker's west wold outfit, who hand a debut to Dan Mawer – who could face his brother Bailey, pictured.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Keelby host Nettleham 2nds, and Cleethorpes 3rds travel to Alkborough 2nds.

In the Premier Division, Cleethorpes 2nds entertain Messingham in what promises to be a tight clash.

Division One newcomers Owmby host Holton-le-Clay at Todmoor, while relegated Broughton have home advantage against a Horncastle side fresh from a good win last Saturday.

Louth 2nds travel to Appleby Frodingham 2nds.

In Division Three, Barton Town 2nds travel to Caistor 3rds, who will be able to enjoy a double-header this weekend – they host Laportes on Sunday.

Meanwhile, South Kelsey visit Alford 2nds, and Market Rasen 2nds welcome Outcasts 2nds to Rase Park.

In Division Four, Cleethorpes 4ths host Old Lincolnians 2nds at Immingham Blossom Way, while there will be a warm Tetney Lane welcome for Scunthorpe Town 3rds, who face Holton-le-Clay.

TOMORROW

(Premier Division 1pm, all other sections 1.30pm)

PREMIER DIVISION: Bracebridge Heath 2nds v Barton Town; Scunthorpe Town v Alford; Nettleham v Alkborough; Cleethorpes 2nds v Messingham.

DIVISION ONE: Broughton v Horncastle; Owmby v Holton-le-Clay; Appleby-Frodingham 2nds v Louth 2nds; Scothern v Outcasts.

DIVISION TWO: Grimsby Town 2nds v Caistor Town 2nds; Keelby v Nettleham 2nds; Hibaldstow v Hartsholme 2nds; Haxey 2nds v Cherry Willingham 2nds; Alkborough 2nds v Cleethorpes 3rds.

DIVISION THREE: Caistor 3rds v Barton Town 2nds; Alford 2nds v South Kelsey; Washingborough v Broughton 2nds; Market Rasen 2nds v Outcasts 2nds.

DIVISION FOUR: Morton v Normanby Park; Holton-le-Clay 2nds v Scunthorpe Town 3rds; Cleethorpes 4ths v Old Lincolnians 2nds (at Immingham Blossom Way); Hykeham v Scothern 2nds.

SUNDAY

DIVISION THREE: Caistor Town 3rds v Laportes.

UNION bosses claim 175 potential job losses at Grimsby's Bluestar Fibres will be a "massive blow" for the local economy.

The company met with staff and union representatives yesterday morning to discuss the potential production stoppage at the plant.

Employees have entered a 45-day consultation about the potential job losses – but Ian Wood, regional officer for Unite, said this should be extended to 90 days.

He added: "Consultation periods for potential redundancies of more than 99 people used to be 90 days but the Government, in its wisdom, reduced that to 45.

"It means the poor souls who are due to lose their jobs in the first round of redundancies only have until July.

"We are asking Bluestar to extend this period to give us more chance to negotiate and to allow us to offer help and advice to those affected.

"It is going to have a major affect on the local economy, not just because of the increase in unemployment, but because of the impact on local suppliers and shopkeepers who rely on the employees for their trade.

"This is a real blow for Grimsby."

Mr Wood said union representatives are still trying to establish the exact reason for the closure.

He added: "We've been told it is because of the economic downturn, but we are aware that the company is building a new plant in China.

"We want to know if the money is being taken out of Grimsby to fund that."

Nobby Styles, who is a Unite union convenor and works at Bluestar, added: "We held our first consultation meeting yesterday and had a good, meaningful discussion about the best possible outcome for everyone affected.

"The workforce has worked very hard over the years and it is upsetting and regrettable that this has happened.

"The management would like to thank the support and hard-work of staff throughout their time at Bluestar.

"Further meetings are planned in the near future."

ROB Scott believes Newport County's celebrations at Blundell Park were premature – as Grimsby Town set their sights on another away-day triumph.

The Exiles seized the advantage at the halfway point of the two sides' play-off semi-final thanks to Ismail Yakubu's late header.

However, the Mariners joint boss, right, appeared unimpressed by the visitors' post-match celebrations on Wednesday night.

And he insists all the pressure is now on Justin Edinburgh's men ahead of the second leg on Sunday.

"To concede that late on was particularly gauling, but we know that we can go away from home and win," Scott remarked. "We've said that all season and gone to some difficult places and put on some great performances.

"The pressure is off us. Their fans looked like they think they're through and there were a few celebrations from the players on their bench.

"But we'll see. We'll go there a goal behind, knowing we've got to win and score goals."

The co-manager continued: "We can be better – we know that and the players know that – and we need to be better to achieve what we want.

"The fans don't need to be told that we're not out of it. If it was 5-0 I'd be trying to blag it to some degree, but they saw on Wednesday how tight it is.

"It's a play-off game and not like any other. It's a different occasion and not about performance – it's all about the result.

"We'll ask the fans that are travelling down there on Sunday to be really vocal in their support.

"They'll know that the players will be doing everything they can to get the right result and get us to Wembley."

JUSTIN Edinburgh insists Grimsby Town will "smell" any complacency from his side on Sunday – and take advantage of it.

The Newport County manager was understandably delighted with his side's last-gasp play-off first leg victory at Blundell Park.

But the former Spurs full-back is taking nothing for granted ahead of Sunday's semi-final second leg in South Wales.

He said: "We were excellent – disciplined, dogged, resolute – all the things you need to come to place like Grimsby with a fantastic home record.

"We started ever so well, we looked bright and took the game to Grimsby but slowly, but surely, they got back into the game and pressed us back in the second half.

"We knew that if we could keep a clean sheet that would stand us in good stead going into Sunday's game.

"As we saw on Wednesday, there is nothing between the two teams and we're going to have to be as good, if not better, to progress.

"If we feel any complacency, Grimsby will smell that and take advantage.

"It was a good atmosphere, very hostile, but I think we will have exactly the same at Rodney Parade on Sunday and I'm sure that our fans will spur us on."

A CLEETHORPES pub has agreed to make changes to its premises licence after a mass brawl took place at the venue.

A woman's arm was fractured after being pushed to the ground as violence broke out at the Imperial Pub in Grimsby Road, on Friday, January 18.

The incident, which saw a group of drunken customers kicking and punching each other, and throwing chairs and tables, prompted Humberside Police to propose a number of variations to the pub's licence.

Landlady Amy Wallace initially agreed to submit an application for a minor variation to the licence, but when that was not forthcoming, police, who had concerns about the quality of the pub's CCTV and a perceived drugs problem at the premises, applied for a formal licensing review.

However, prior to yesterday's North East Lincolnshire Council licensing sub-committee hearing, the police and the pub's owner Enterprise Inns had reached an agreement.

The changes, which were ratified by the sub-committee, include:

An improved CCTV system, with cameras covering all exits and entrances, and areas where alcohol is sold.

A comprehensive drugs policy, with toilet checks every 30 minutes after 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays

Drinks to be served in plastic or polycarbonate glasses after 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and during Grimsby Town matches at Blundell Park.

At least one door supervisor on duty after 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and on Bank Holidays.

Landlady Ms Wallace said the delay had been partly down to confusion about whether she would have to pay for the new CCTV system. She confirmed that Enterprise Inns would be footing the bill. She added that the pub was already using polycarbonate glasses during the weekend.

As 175 staff at Grimsby's Bluestar Fibres – once known as Courtaulds – face redundancy, reporter LAURA STUART-COOK looks back at the history of the plant and explores how its demise marks the end of an era.

UP TO 175 of the 238 workers at Grimsby's Bluestar Fibres plant have entered a 45-day consultation period this week that is likely to see them lose their jobs.

Bosses say they have "no option" but to consider a production stoppage at the plant as a result of the economic downturn and a reduction in demand for its carbon fibre precursor product.

The first employees are set to leave the plant on July 23, with the final redundancies on December 31.

Keith Watkin, 62, who worked at the plant for almost 30 years, said the redundancies will be "devastating" for those involved.

He added: "Many people have worked for the company for a very long time and this is going to hit the whole town hard.

"I was made redundant 2006 and it really knocks the wind out of your sails.

"It will be especially difficult for the younger ones because there's nothing out there for them.

"None of my sons live in this area because of the lack of opportunities.

"Courtaulds and Huntsman Tioxide were once two of the most prosperous companies in the town and they will soon both be gone."

Former councillor Mr Watkin, of the Willows Estate, joined Courtaulds in 1976.

He recalls: "It was one of the top factories in the area. With the decline of the fishing industry in Grimsby and the closure of the paper mill, a lot of people went to work for factories.

"The fishermen couldn't believe the difference, because working in a factory wasn't as hard as working at sea and the wages were better.

"When I joined there were the best part of 3,000 people working there.

"Then it just started declining. You could see a big change in the world markets. Orders were diminishing and fashions changed.

"I've talked to people recently who've said that production at the site has stopped for weeks and months at a time over the past few years, so I'm not surprised this is happening. It doesn't make it any less sad though."

So how did a company that once employed 3,000 people in the area come to such a sad demise?

Back in 1952 the site developed rapidly following the acquisition of 500 acres of farmland off Moody Lane.

By the end of that decade, the viscose plant and the site's power station were up and running, and work had begun on the south factory where acrylic carpet fibre would be made.

In the 1960s, the north west and north east factories were opened, and in 1973 the west factory was commissioned.

Although the 1980s saw production commence on the revolutionary "wonder fibre" Tencel, it was a tough decade for the factory as it struggled in the face of dwindling demand and increased competition from overseas.

In 1998, Courtaulds was taken over by Dutch firm AkzoNobel, and the Grimsby operation was renamed Acordis. But the factory continued to struggle.

Three years later, 200 workers lost their jobs when the viscose plant was sold off and in May 2005, with the site employing around 475 people, Acordis went into administration.

A buyer was eventually found, but not before the workforce had been slimmed even further to about 235.

Fibres Worldwide Ltd was in charge of the plant for just 11 months, before it was also forced to call in the administrators.

Within a month, 39 jobs were lost when the speciality fibres section was closed, but just before Christmas, with the factory on the brink of closure, the China National Bluestar Group stepped in to buy the plant, which became known as Bluestar Fibres, saving about 170 jobs.

Management outlined plans for expanding the workforce, and in March 2008 a deal was announced to produce carbon fibre at the plant.

Last year, the company announced that 42 jobs would be lost as part of a restructuring, and yesterday the potential production stoppage was announced – putting 175 jobs on the line.

Former employee Mick Burnett, of Cleethorpes, has much sympathy for those facing the prospect of losing their jobs.

Mr Burnett, who is now deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, worked at the viscose plant for 27 years from 1973, starting out in processing before becoming a shift manager.

He said: "This is very sad news for the whole area, especially for those who could lose their jobs and their families.

"When I was at Courtaulds it was a vibrant place to work and offered workers a good standard of living.

"But the whole fibres market has changed over the years and a large plant like this facing possible closure is a sad reflection of the times."

A GRIMSBY couple who admitted neglecting their daughter were told they had a "clear deficit of parenting skills".

Grimsby Crown Court heard Jason Roberts, 31, and Emily Adams, 23, of Gilbey Road, had failed to change their daughter's nappy often enough – causing her to develop "severe nappy rash" – and failed to seek any medical help.

Judge David Tremberg said they had a "clear deficit of parenting skills" and "more extensive" than the case had shown.

He added it was a good thing the child – now aged three – had since been adopted.

Prosecuting, James Keeley said Humberside Police had visited the couple's home on April 2 last year and discovered the child in her cot.

She was removed from the house, where the couple were also present, and taken to Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.

The extent of the rash was discovered when social workers changed her nappy.

She was examined by a consultant pediatrician, who said "any responsible parent" would have sought medical assistance, adding her condition suggested neglect.

When social services visited the couple the next day, Roberts was said to be "hostile" telling them he "couldn't stand the sight of them".

They were arrested the following day and the child was taken into care.

On hearing Judge Tremberg intended to deal with the couple by means of a community order, Richard Hackfath, for Roberts, offered no mitigation.

He was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

For Adams, Simon Hirst said his client was suffering issues with her knees and questioned whether she would be fit to undertake unpaid work.

She was given a 12-month community order, with 12 months supervision.

LORRY drivers have been apprehended for using mobile phones, iPads and eating yogurt with a spoon while driving.

More than 60 drivers were stopped by police conducting an operation in North East Lincolnshire and the rest of the Humberside Force area.

They deployed a lorry which enabled police officers to see directly into the cabs of other lorries.

The operation was carried out in the wake of a series of collisions involving lorries – one of which was on the A180 and resulted in a driver having a leg amputated.

Humberside Police casualty reduction officer PC Barry Gardner said a driver was seen leaving a service station unwrapping a pack of wet wipes with which he rubbed his hands thoroughly.

The 44-tonne HGV was seen tailgating a lorry in front and weaving across lanes and half-way over into the hard shoulder.

Police trailing the lorry later passed an elderly lady with her broken down car parked in the hard shoulder of the road.

PC Gardner said: "If that lorry driver had been wiping his hands five miles further up the road he would have killed the woman."

During their three-day operation, which culminated yesterday, police officers also watched a truck driver placing his food back into his Tupperware box, while driving.

One 40-year-old driver at the wheel of a 44-tonne lorry was stopped for tailgating a tanker.

The driver of the R500 Scania from Scotland was issued with a Traffic Offence Report at the scene and will likely soon receive a fixed penalty notice. PC Gardner said: "Even when we were alongside him he was not pulling back.

"He did not have a full view of the road in front because he was tailgating.

"If it had braked he would have gone straight into the back.

"We have had a few serious accidents with HGVs, one on the M180 resulted in an amputation. So we do these operations for a reason."

He added: "The majority are competent, but crashes involving HGVs usually end up with serious injuries."

TODAY, as the five members of one family killed in a collision on the A18 are laid to rest, we can reveal that the result of a second post mortem examination on the driver will be kept private.

The medical report's findings into the death of grandmother Angela Cockburn, 49, will remain undisclosed until any legal proceedings are heard or a full inquest is heard later this year.

Following the second examination, Mrs Cockburn's remains were formally released by the coroner so she could be reunited with the other four members of her family.

The five, from Chester-le-Street, died following the collision with a lorry on the Barton Street on Friday, April 12.

They were driving to a dancing competition at Butlin's, in Skegness, in their Nissan Primera at the time of the collision, with friends in other cars.

The road was closed while investigations were carried out.

As reported, Grimsby and North Lincolnshire coroner Paul Kelly agreed to the second post mortem examination on Mrs Cockburn at the request of an unnamed third party.

The unusual request, which is normally only reserved to parties involved in legal proceedings, was agreed to by the coroner, who opened the inquest into all five family members at Cleethorpes Town Hall last Wednesday.

An initial examination concluded Mrs Cockburn died from multiple injuries.

Her husband David, 48, daughter Bethany, 18, and one-year-old granddaughter Lacie Jade Stephenson, Bethany's daughter, also died from multiple injuries. The couple's older daughter, Carley Ann, 21, died from head injuries.

Their funeral was being held today at St John's Church, in Birtley, Gateshead.

Mr and Mrs Cockburn's son Dean, the only remaining family member, was leading the mourners as relatives said farewell to the tragic five.

He was to be joined by Lacie's dad, Bethany's boyfriend Garry Stephenson.

More than 65,000 people have joined a Facebook tribute group to the family.

See tomorrow's paper for coverage of the funeral.

"OUR whole season rests on Sunday – all the hard work goes down the drain if we don't turn this one around."

Ian Miller is as desperate as anyone to overturn Grimsby Town's Conference play-off semi-final deficit this weekend.

The centre-half was unfortunate to deflect home Newport County's 'winning' goal at Blundell Park in Wednesday evening's first leg.

But, despite trailing by that solitary 89th minute sucker punch ahead of the second encounter at Rodney Parade, Miller and co are refusing to throw in the towel on their Football League dream.

"We don't want to be playing at Braintree again next season – no disrespect to them or anyone else in this division," the 29-year-old told the Telegraph.

"We want to go into the league, draw big crowds and enjoy testing ourselves at a higher level every week.

"Everyone in our dressing room is desperate to go up because you get bigger crowds and huge matches like these play-offs every week.

"So our whole season rests on turning it around on Sunday.

"We've worked so hard this campaign and dug out results in tough circumstances, which all goes down the drain if we don't turn this one around.

"It's a big ask but we've got the right characters in our squad."

The former Darlington defender insists that the Mariners' enviable away record during the regular season – no one lost fewer games in the Conference – also provides grounds for optimism.

"We always seem to play better away from home and hopefully that comes to fruition at their place," he added. "Our crowd were magnificent on Wednesday night and we know they'll make themselves heard at Newport on Sunday.

"We're only 1-0 down in the tie and we'll remain positive until the final whistle at their place.

"It would be helpful if we got the first goal. Either way, we go there full of anticipation, determined to turn the tie on its head."

A CROOKED bus driver made fake tickets on his computer and sold them to passengers so he could craftily pocket the fares.

But he was foiled when another driver later spotted that a passenger's ticket was forged and raised the alarm, Grimsby magistrates heard.

Aidan Barratt, 23, of Wellington Street, Grimsby, admitted two offences of issuing fake bus tickets on September 3 and another of making counterfeit tickets on September 7.

Rebecca Dolby, prosecuting, said Barratt was working at the time as a bus driver for the Stagecoach company in Grimsby.

He sold a fake ticket to a customer for £9.30 but took it from the cash tray area, instead of using the ticket machine.

Another driver later checked it and noticed discrepancies in the details.

Barratt was identified as the driver who had issued the false ticket and checks revealed that he had also sold another fake ticket for £9.30.

His home was searched and it was found that a laptop and scanner had been used to make forged tickets. Barratt was suspended from his job.

Probation services officer Rachel Austwick told the court that Barratt had worked as a bus driver for Stagecoach since April last year but, before that, had also worked as a bus driver in Plymouth.

Barratt claimed that he had been in a pub when he overheard a man discussing counterfeit tickets. He approached the man because he was "curious" but claimed that it was a pure coincidence that he worked for Stagecoach and that he never told the man where he worked.

Barratt claimed that the man offered him a memory stick, which he copied on to his own computer, said Miss Austwick.

He took customers' money when they got on his bus, gave them fake tickets and kept the money for himself.

He had lost his job and was now unemployed. He had debts of about £7,000 from an overdraft and two credit cards but had not made any payments since 2011, said Miss Austwick.

Lindsay Studd, mitigating, said it was a serious breach of trust but the fraud went on for only a short period of time and involved a small amount of money.

Barratt claimed he had already decided at the time he was caught that he would not continue with what he was doing.

"It is going to have a devastating effect on him," said Mr Studd.

"His prospects of obtaining employment are poor. It is a terrible situation he has placed himself in at such a young age." Barratt was given 200 hours' unpaid work and was ordered to pay £18.60 compensation, £40 costs and a Government-imposed £60 victims' surcharge.

Presiding magistrate Audrey Lambert told Barratt: "It wasn't a spur of the moment thing – it was planned.

"There was a certain amount of premeditation. You had the equipment and the means to manufacture these tickets."

After the hearing, Dave Skepper, commercial director for Stagecoach East Midlands, said: "Stagecoach Grimsby Cleethorpes expects all of its staff to uphold high standards of professionalism and integrity. Mr Barratt is no longer employed by the company."

CHAMPION Dan Wellings will defend his Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire belt tonight when he goes toe-to-toe with Callum Baptiste.

The Grimsby Boxing Academy lightweight – who tops a ten-fight card at the Beachcomber – was due to face Darryl Felstead for a third time.

However, an ankle injury forced his withdrawal from the Humberston night, meaning Wellings will now fight the seasoned Baptiste, from Lincoln.

With three times as much experience as the Grimsby man, 22, the challenger will be looking to stamp his authority on the bout.

But with the added incentive of having his title on the line, Wellings knows that victory would land him permanent ownership of the belt.

Meanwhile, Jake Roberts, Miran Najat and Jack Leggett will make their debuts on the GBA card.

And the night will also feature four female fighters – national champion Milli Hansen, from Cleethorpes Academy School, will compete for the first time on home soil since beating the Irish Champion in Sweden.

Amy Allen, Paige Webb and Kirsty Hill complete the girls' contingent, while unbeaten James Spencer and Lucas Button will also feature.

Tickets are still available for the GBA night. To secure your place at the Beachcomber, call the Box Office on 01472 812666 or Andy Cox on 07515 544441. Prices: £12.50 in advance, or £15 on the door (concessions £5). Ringside seats are also available for just £20.