12th Jan Home & Away

It would appear the request for a little more effort & commitment to attain 3 promotions during 2019 was ignored as all 3 senior teams lost last weekend although it was not due to lack of effort. Maybe a little short on commitment both 2s & 3s travelling with bare 15s?

Did you know? 12th January 1889 - The New Zealand Native team, after a run of four victories in six days in the north of England, was held to a 3-3 draw by Stockport. Northwich face Stockport at month’s end where our Aotearoan’s Adam & Matt can make amends.

Northwich welcome Burnage to Moss Farm 2.15pm kick-off. At the start of the season Postie said this will be a very competitive league with any team capable of beating its opposition. Burnage visit sitting 11th with Northwich 5th but only 11 points separate Broughton 12th from a play-off position, meaning 11 teams have all to play for, for the remaining half of the season. Burnage defeating Warrington last weekend 11-35.

In recent time there have been some extremely tough contests between the two sides often with very little separating them in terms of the scores. Back in September Northwich were in no doubt about the enormity of the challenge at Burnage as the opposition got on the scoreboard within the opening minute, quickly racking up a 17-0 lead in what proved a very bruising contest. With a 17-10 deficit at half-time Northwich took the lead at mid-point of the remaining forty, before Burnage once again fought back. The remaining minutes were a stalemate giving the home side a deserved victory 27-21.

Northwich 2 take a journey to Helsby who are on a 4 game winning run and currently sit in fourth position. Having had 3 promotions in as many years Helsby commenced this season in familiar style winning their first 5 games, including an away victory over Northwich 17-20 back in September. Now just past the midway point they have completed the double over our near neighbours and It’s an old adage in rugby that forwards win games and backs decide by how much and only last week they attained another double over Crewe & Nantwich 8-47 having travelled with only a 17-man squad, it was a heroic performance by every player and demonstrated that - on its day - this is a team that is very much capable of holding its own in Division Two and a further promotion is targeted. Northwich will need to make a step up to achieve a result on Saturday.

Northwich 3 host Congleton 2 at Mossy. Congleton only winning 3 games so far are in 9th, Northwich 5th.

Northwich Colts welcome Eccles on Sunday 2pm kick-off. Having no fixture again last week due to Colne leaving the league, it feels like our last game was pre-Noah’s boat building. Eccles are 2nd with the league best scoring record, and are the only team to defeat leaders Clitheroe. However they lost at home last week to Wigan 15-22.

Updated 07:01 - 30 Aug 2019 by john blower