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4th January the Rugby Matters Flipbook PDF
4th January the Rugby Matters
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NORTHWICH RUGBY CLUB
“the Rugby Matters”
4th January
WELCOME Salutations fellow Blacks’ and a Happy New Year! From everyone at NRUFC we hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break and are looking forward to 2020. We wish to take the opportunity to share the highlights of the last few months within this issue and to provide some things to look forward to in the second-half of our current season.
Proud sponsor of NORTHWICH RUFC 4th January. On this day @ Northwich rugby. 2003, 4th January 1st XV vs Southport (Away) Lost 15-13 RFU Powergen South Lancashire and Cheshire One Southport completed the double over the Moss Farm men, following up the 6-5 win earlier in the season. Southport led 12-0 before Andy Allan pulled a try back before half-time. A high tackle then let Southport in to make it 15-5 with a penalty and leave Northwich a steep ladder to climb. John Blower, their 43-year-old prop who was in the team to replace Rob Birtles, got them on the first rung with a try, but Steve Campbell, missed the conversion, he then cut the deficit to two points with a penalty in front of the posts and Northwich were just two points behind in the closing stages. But despite good runs from Campbell, Rob Norton and Huw Jones they couldn't break through for a winning try, and the defeat was sealed when Campbell sent a penalty wide with the last kick of the game.
& Did you know? 1936 Possibly the most famous pre-war England performance of all as Alex Obolensky, their 19-year-old Russian Prince, scored two tries in the 13-0 demolition of New Zealand at Twickenham. He fled Russia with his family in 1917 and grew up in London before taking up rugby at 15, at Trent College. His tries are widely considered to be among the finest ever scored by an English player and capped a perfect debut.. 1913 England lost at Twickenham for the first time beaten 9-3 by South Africa in a pulsating match. Half-time review During the Christmas period we have had two articles in the Northwich Guardian, one is condenced here for our supporters not following the local paper. The exciting match against Vale of Lune marked the half-term point in the 2019-2020 season. So we reflect on the Blacks’ performance so far. As the Northwich faithful gathered for the opening season fixture in the Cheshire Vase clash away at Sandbach. Despite Northwich throwing everything at Sandbach they were unable to break them down and as the match drew to a close a penalty with no time left gave the home side a 25-11 victory. Despite the disappointment of leaving the competition Northwich took heart from the performance, playing against opposition from a higher league, they were competitive if not cohesive. The league campaign began with Northwich facing three away games during September commencing with a trip to Birkenhead Park where conditions were ideal for rugby. With the match drawing to a close the blacks showed real character pressing the home line until Richard Dale finally forced himself over the line to secure a well deserved bonus point in a 34-20 loss. The blacks welcomed Burnage for their first home fixture of the season, Burnage have provided the stiffest of contests and the remaining minutes were nail biting as both teams were reduced in number with yellow cards. However, the blacks hung on to win the match and send the faithful happily into the clubhouse rejoicing a 24-20 win.
A loss away at Wilmslow followed by victory at Altrincham Kersal once again gave insight into the competative nature of the North 1 West league structure. Despite a good result with some great individual performances including a promising debut from Tom Wood and a great return from Chris James and Chris Heywood against Warrington, Martin Poste was still looking to improve some areas of the Northwich game. A home victory over Bowden followed before the weather took a turn for the worse. With so much rain during the week the match with Firwood Waterloo at Moss Farm was in doubt. However, the pitch, although heavy was fit to play. With little to chose between the two sides this contest had all the hallmarks of a classic. It turned out to be a disappointment in terms of running rugby as both teams slogged it out in what was an arm wrestle for the entire 80 minutes. Postie was obviously delighted with the outcome 16-12 but knows the lads will need to improve significantly if they are to progress up the table. Surprisingly Northwich went on to enjoy an afternoon in the Cumbrian sunshine and their biggest win margin so far this season 12-52. Surprisingly, because the forecasted rain had little effect on the pitch and the match went ahead in the most spectacular surroundings. This was the first visit to Keswick for the blacks, Northwich were able to run in 8 tries against a very young and enthusiastic outfit. The result bringing an unbeaten October for the blacks and setting up a run of 5 wins. With Moss Farm waterlogged in early November the fixture was reversed and the blacks had to travel to Stockport in order to fulfill the fixture. This was a bad day for the blacks who lost a match that was clearly influenced by the number of penalties conceded. However the month ended well for Northwich with wins away at Penrith and at home against Broughton Park. Into December and Douglas were defeated in a tight contest as Northwich confirmed their status as a bogey team for IoM outfit with a 17-6 win at Port-e-Chee. Northwich finished the first half of the campaign with a hard fought one point victory over Vale of Lune moving them up to third position going into 2020.
SENIOR RUGBY Northwich 1st, vs Vale of Lune review The match started well for the blacks as they pounced on a turnover ball and Burmah moved the ball wide for Richard Dale to ground the ball for a try that Baldwin converted. Ten minutes later some loose play allowed the visitors to mount an attack and following some good team work they eventually scored an unconverted try. As the first quarter drew to a close the blacks extended their lead. From an attacking lineout Northwich were rewarded with a try from the industrious Davidson. The extras were added by Baldwin. Five minutes later the blacks were again on the scoreboard, as the powerful Hakaraia drove across the line for the third Northwich try converted by Baldwin. The rest of the half proved scoreless as both defenses took centre stage.
The second half belonged to the visitors as Northwich were punished for too many errors. Early in the half a handling error in Northwich territory handed the initiative to Vale a swift response produced a score for the Lancastrians. With time almost up the visitors looked like they were going to score only to lose the ball forward inches from the line. The scrum was won and to the relief of the faithful the ball was kicked to touch to bring the match to its conclusion, a narrow one point victory Northwich 21-20.
Northwich 1st, today’s opposition Burnage Northwich journey to Varley Park SK4 3EA the home of Burnage Rugby Club for a 2nd vs 3rd position clash. Founded as an old boys' club for expupils of Burnage High School in 1936. The club moved from Burnage in South Manchester to a new site at Heaton Mersey in Stockport in the 1970s. Coming so close to relegation last season Burnage learned the lessons in what proved to be the most competitivly fought level 6 league in the UK and once again is proving similar this term. At the half-way point Burnage are undefeated at home winning all 6 compared to last season when they only recorded 7 home wins in total. And they have recorded twice as many try bonus points as Northwich. Prior to the festive break Birkenhead Park’s defeat at Burnage saw them slip from second place in the North 1 West table down to fifth with Burnage overtaking them into second. Despite enjoying early pressure Park soon fell behind as Burnage broke out for two scores the first from winger Josh Miller after four minutes and the second by strong running centre Adam Knight with George Oakey converting both. Park continued to gain good possession but Burnage defended well and frequently turned over possession. Burnage 29 Birkenhead Park 15. The blacks welcomed Burnage to Moss Farm in September. This proved to be a difficult fixture as the match went down to the wire leaving the supporters breathless. The remaining minutes were nail biting as both teams were reduced in number with yellow cards. However, the blacks hung on to win the match 24-20 and send the faithful into the clubhouse pinching themselves.
Northwich 2nd & 3rd Northwich 2s match review vs Widnes Following a run of league victories Northwich lost the momentum in the Robinson Brewery Cup clash by 2 points to Widnes. Keller, Naylor and Hart tries and a penalty from Naylor left the Blacks just short in this entertaining fixture, It was a cruel blow to Northwich 2nd after their recent run of league victories and was a game they could have so easily won by a comfortable margin. However, poor decision making and numerous unforced errors proved costly final score 18-20.
Northwich 2 vs Wilmslow 2s Northwich in 10th host table toppers Wilmslow at Moss Farm 2.15pm. In the teams earlier fixture Wilmslow were convincing victors 53-0, this being the only season fixture Northwich failed to register points against their opposition. It did not take long for the Vikings to show the type of game Northwich would need to defend. In the build upto the first try, Northwich lost their first man to injury. The Northwich team, throughout the game, showed real grit as they constantly had to re-organise and convince a number of players to go the extra step for a team in defense all afternoon.
Northwich 2nd XV made it four straight league wins on the bounce when overcoming Manchester 2nd XV 23 – 19 in their last league fixture before Christmas. In doing so, Northwich 2nd string climbed out of the bottom three into tenth place, three points behind Crewe & Nantwich 2nds in seventh position. It has been a remarkable transition since the appointment of Chris Bradshaw who along with replacement captain Antony Keller have resurrected the fortunes of the Moss Farm team. They will be hoping to renew their resurgence in the New Year.
Northwich 3rd vs West Park review Pre Christmas spirit and an appeal from skipper Nemo paid off with increased numbers and a full squad. Northwich produced probably their best performance of the season in a narrow 10-15 loss, Anthony Hollinshead and Tom Williams scoring tries for the Blacks’. With only the 2s & 3s attending the last training session ran by Chris Bradshaw prior to Christmas it is obvious the players are there and with a little more commitment from them Northwich can turn their season around and possibly remain in this league. Northwich 3 visit Oswestry 2. Oswestry in 12th host bottom of the table Northwich the previous fixture Northwich were unable to field a side so Oswestry were gifted a walkover win.
CLUB NEWS There was a really good turn out from juniors and parents for the Christmas Superstars. We have not seen the club house that busy in a long time. We are now feeling very positive that we can continue to expand from this event and continue to grow the juniors. Planning is on-going arranging fixtures for the new year and setting up a parent meeting to formalise a functioning junior committee. Watch here and our Facebook page for updates.
Why Northwich Rugby Union Football Club? As well as helping a hand at Northwich Festival 2019 we are excited to announce that we have proudly supported Northwich Rugby Union Football Club. As our charitable donation for 2019/20, we are going to provide continued complimentary digital marketing services throughout this year and next to drum up as much interest in the club as possible. Included in our donation are a new website, aiming to provide visitors with user-friendly and enjoyable site experience, as well as helping to promote them on their various social media channels. Giving something back to the community is one of our main driving points, and it’s great to give back to the local area…plus we get to watch some quality live sport and attend several awesome charity events, what’s not to love?! We’re hoping our partnership will lead to exciting times, not only off the pitch, but on it as well, and we’ll be cheering on the teams at every possible opportunity.