Did you Know?
8th September 1965 The match that changed the laws. On the face of it, not a significant one as New Zealand Universities were thrashed 55-11 by the touring Springboks, but the students played the last half hour with 12 men as a result of injuries. The rules of the day prohibited replacements, but the sight of a concussed All Black Chris Laidlaw stumbling around the field (collapsing twice) because his side could not afford him to go off caused outrage. The farce set in motion an IRB rethink and in 1968 the regulations on replacements were finally changed.

Northwich play host to Warrington at Mossy 3pm kick-off, in our opening home fixture of this league term. Coincidently this is a repeat of last season when the fixture was won by Northwich 33-23.
Warrington’s pre-season has been very similar to Northwich with a number of players returning to play and an influx of ex-colts into senior rugby. Their friendly fixture, bringing a victory over Winnington Park, prior to them defeating Birkenhead Park away 15-19 last weekend. Warrington whilst remaining realistic about the toughness of the league and its challenges have high expectations for its group of players, promotion as yet is not a target but they certainly expect to be top half challengers, its always tough between these two local rivals and Saturday will be no different.

Northwich 2 visit Crewe & Nantwich who were beaten at home 14-24 by Liverpool Collegiate last Saturday. All three teams mentioned were relegated last season. However after thrashing Winnington Park 2s 66-5 Northwich will be in confident mood and with a number of players returning to action and available for selection the 2s should have a strong team, with sights set on a promotion challenge.

Northwich 3 also play away hopping over the fence in their derby day at Park. Park losing by a point, whilst Northwich thumped Bowden 43-12 last week. This was a very exciting game to watch if you were a neutral spectator. Peter Naylor was man of the match and very well deserved. “The team was a very good balance of youth and old heads. If this is how we can play we should have a good season” said team manager Nige Forrest. Credit is expressed to him for recruiting over half of this team a squad of 20 players with 9 more unavailable on the day.

Sunday 9th
Northwich Colts are at home 2pm kick-off v Broughton Park. This should be an interesting fixture both teams meeting last season and both winning their home fixture. Broughton losing at home last week to Leigh, Northwich beating Clitheroe away 26-31. Northwich playing the final 17 minutes with only 11 players. Northwich need to maintain discipline and remain injury free with their limited numbers, but the development of youth rugby at Northwich is bearing fruit for the whole club.

Enjoy your weekends rugby home or away