Ken Jones in the melee, wins on points.

The rugby is always entertaining at Northwich as the first bounce back up after suffering two defeats, the two’s go down again, thirds on a pogo stick up and down and the colts actually play.

Did you know? 19th January 1952 Ken Jones scored both of Wales' tries in a brutal 8-6 victory over England at Twickenham. "It was just about the toughest, fighting, rugbv duel there has been since deliberate hacking was abolished in 1866," was the view of the Daily Express. "There was more punishment dished out and taken in any five minutes of this Twickenham match than one sees in 15 rounds of professional boxing." There were so many stoppages to patch players up that there were 13 minutes of added time at the end of the second half.

Northwich travel to Ramsgreave Drive BB1 8NB the home of Blackburn RUFC. Blackburn commenced 2019 with a win over Anselmians 19-6 which put them in 2nd position. Last week they visited Warrington, for much of the first half this was a tight affair, where each team on the whole matched the others scores, however it was Blackburn who stole the initiative at the end of the half and the start of the second which saw them home with a bonus point win, as they outscored their opponents 6 tries to 3. To score 6 tries away from home is a great achievement. Warrington are dangerous, however as the game went on Burn’s defence was able to blunt their attacks, while superior power troubled the home side all day and Blackburn’s 3 tries in quick succession took the wind out of Warrington and ultimately helped to a relatively comfortable win.

Prior to the teams last meeting at Mossy Northwich had 3 successive defeats, while Blackburn arrived with the same number of wins behind them. With the visitors 14-0 up within 11 minutes it began to look a stroll in the park, before Adam Bennett barged over to spark a revival, a sign of their growing confidence followed when Tom Husband, a teenager making his debut on the wing, showed sharpness of mind and fleet of foot to scamper to the line. Final score all even 32-32.

Blackburn only suffering one home defeat this term 14-28 to league leaders Carlisle, and have completed the double over Warrington, Broughton and Anselmians. A big performance will be required from Northwich to keep their rivals above within reach.

Northwich 2 welcomes Bowden 2 to Moss Farm 2.15pm kick-off. Northwich suffered a heavy defeat to promotion chasing Helsby last weekend and this week face another team up the top Bowden, who have only lost 2 games from 16. Bowden being the Div 2 South league second highest points scorers, recording 108 points for, in their last 2 fixtures. Their best results at this stage being 96-0 & 83-10, both games against the same opposition Winnington Park.

Northwich 3 also on the road travel to Oswestry 2s, who like Northwich also won last week 10-13 and are now in 7th compared to Northwich 5th.
Taking a look down the rabbit hole it appears club stalwart and 3rd team elder and captain Steve Taylor liked to play away on the 19th January! In 2008 Steve was 1XV scrum-half in a North 2 West fixture at table leaders Chester. Also playing in that fixture were current first teamers C Heywood, R Dale, C James & S Naylor. Northwich gave as good as they got in the pack and came close with a few driving mauls but time after time the Chester defence held firm and for the second time that season the 'Blacks' failed to register a single point, losing this game 29-0.

Northwich Colts host Wigan 2pm kick-off at Mossy on Sunday 20th. Northwich not having played since 16th December losing, whilst Wigan won an entertaining fixture 57-52 last weekend. The teams have not previously met this season Wigan currently 3rd having played 2 more fixtures than their opponents.

Updated 01:45 - 30 Aug 2019 by john blower