“Forward the Light Brigade charge for the guns”, is infamous as an act of bravery in the face all insurmountable odds, was first printed on 09-12-1854, is a rally cry Northwich may well need to adopt as they face league leaders Vale of Lune this week at Moss Farm, ko 2.15pm.

Moss Farm is a venue VoL have yet to record a victory, but after last weeks demolition of second placed Warrington 87-20 they will arrive in a very positive mood. It was a much-weakened Warrington side which took the field against Vale, even at full strength, Warrington would probably have been unable to contain a Vale side in magnificent form and the only difference would have been the magnitude of defeat reads the wires report.
An emphatic win for VoL, who recorded their highest league victory since April 2011 when they won at Kirkby Lonsdale, 92-5. Certainly the victory over Warrington was a fine example of actions speaking louder than words as the Vale, who were razor sharp and clinical, rattled in thirteen tries, with four from their flying winger who brought his seasons total to twenty four and a hat trick from their centre, VoL converting eleven of the tries.
It was an all action start from the Vale with their forwards driving an early scrum backwards but Warrington, as befitted a side enjoying a fine run of form, came back strongly in what was an intense opening between two sides only separated by a point at the top of the table prior to this game..

The wanted posters had been out for the scalp of Vale of Lune in the clubhouses of North One West for a while, but the first club to collect was Douglas who not only ended the Vale’s eight game winning run but became the first club to win at Powderhouse Lane since October 2016. Last season at Moss Farm, Vale crashed to Northwich 57-22, their heaviest North One West defeat of the season which was their most crushing league loss since going down 72-10, at Chester, in the 2007/08 season. Perhaps there is something in the Cheshire soil that is not too their liking.
On sale in the clubhouse was a special brew called “Wizard” which may have been the key to Northwich’s magical season, it must have cast its spell in the closing twenty plus minutes when a flashing wand conjured up 29 points to the home side. It is extremely doubtful if a combination of Harry Potter, Tommy Cooper, Paul Daniels, Sooty or even Merlin could have saved Vale’s bacon, Bud Skinkis producing the old rabbit from the hat-trick with a spellbinding three tries.

Commencing November Northwich’s opponents were Firwood Waterloo, their first meeting as equals, a game won by the home team, and proof of how far Northwich have progressed under Martin Poste in that time. The director of rugby has remarked recently that his side has learned different ways to prevail. Following last weeks win v Stockport Martin Poste was delighted with the performance and when asked for a man of the match failed to single anyone out stating this was a team performance of the highest order.

The Team of the Town remain used to beating opponents on home turf, and have done so in the past 11 North One West games in front of their own supporters.

Vale are expected to bring a larger than normal group of supporters and alackado’s, the Northwich faithful are sure to be laudatory hosts for what promises to be a very difficult fixture for both teams. On tap this month is another special beer for the Vale supporters “Spellbound” lets hope the Northwich wizardry continues in our winter quest of 3 from 3.

Enjoy your weekends Rugby