Confession !

Martin Poste confesses he can still be surprised. “Our shoulders were broad but our hearts were bigger,” said Blacks’ director of rugby v Douglas. Then last week prior to meeting Broughton (if you recall he side-stepped me mid-week) Poste said to Northwich Guardian: “We won’t take them lightly, and their recent run of results commands our respect”.
That’s now seven on the trot! Moving on, what’s on this week

Did you know? 15th December last fell on a Saturday in 2012, when for the first time Northwich travelled to Ludlow, where the game didn’t go to script. Northwich won the first encounter at Moss Farm 46-27 but lost the return 24-13. The only surviving player from the team of five years ago J Underhill. And to test our faithful’s memories, who remembers Lyne, Lazaro, Legg & Niadu.

Northwich make the short journey to Walton Lea the home of Warrington for what is now our “Derby” fixture which also marks the half-way stage of this seasons fixtures 2.15pm kick-off.
Warrington winning 39-8 v Anselmians last week in what was the first of four consecutive home fixtures, the wolves will be hoping for maximum points during their resurgence. After a flaky first half, Warrington eventually shook off the disappointment of their defeat at Broughton Park to outclass Anselmians with a five-try performance, which takes them back to seventh in North 1 West. Northwich, currently third in the league, eight points above. It should be some game this Saturday.

In our earlier meeting Warrington won 10-20 a game of high intensity marred towards the end by yellow cards for both teams, where Warrington smothered the home team with their impressive tackling.

Posties thoughts this week with all players fit and the returning Balshaw and Barber he said “I will pick the formation and personnel I believe will be capable of winning the next game. I have got no rigid formation in my mind, sometimes the small decisions can change” Did he side-step me again.

And I can remind you, 21 years ago this weekend a couple of golden oldies came to the rescue Northwich 20 Warrington 35. Northwich former captain Sam Naylor then 45, and fellow spectator Geoff Simpson 46 were called into the action. Just on half-time half Peter Charlton had to leave the field, Northwich had no replacements for the fixture so during the interval Sam changed into the Black and Gold shirt, the last time he wore it was 5 years previous Northwich had the lead 20-15, tries by Charlton, Mason, Scott and Henrietta. Mason then left the fray due to a back injury and Geoff volunteered from the side line, he went on to join his lock forward son Jon.

And whilst reminiscing it is 18 years this coming week Northwich 1XV captain Shaun Bennett suffered a tragic car accident.

Northwich 2 in 7th host Crewe & Nantwich in 11th. Last week C&N conceded their away fixture granting their opposition Winn Park an 8-0 walkover. Northwich could only travel with one reserve available, to Whitchurch, which is amazing considering the 3s had no fixture.

Northwich 3 “derby” also at Mossy v Winnington Park. Park currently on bottom of the table are having a difficult season losing their last 7 games, their only recorded win at mid-point in the season coming against second from bottom Whitchurch, and that being declared a walkover as their opponents were unable to raise a travelling team. Back in September WP 21–42 Northwich. Neither teams having fixtures for the last two weeks, both will be looking for the early Christmas present.

Northwich colts are hopefully back on the road to Bury on Sunday 2pm kick-off. We say in hope because Northwich have conceded on two away fixtures.
And not forgetting Northwich Colts have a home fixture v Broughton Park scheduled 23rd December your support will be appreciated by the team.

Saturday brings an end to our local rugby “fix” for senior rugby until 05 January so we wish all our readers and supporters a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Updated 08:00 - 30 Aug 2019 by john blower