ONE of the highlights of tomorrow’s rugby union programme should be at the Upper Park where Birkenhead Park and Chester face a Cheshire derby in National Three North League.
Birkenhead, who have won six of their last seven outings, bid for revenge for an October away reverse when they surrendered a 22-point lead.
Chester, who need victory to maintain hopes of a play-off place, start with Bryn Snelgrove at stand-off and Rhys Hayes in the centre. The kick-off has been put back to 3pm and a ding dong tussle looks in prospect.
Waterloo have a crucial fixture at home to Lymm. Victory could see them move out of the drop zone with Middlesborough who are just above them facing a tricky away match at leaders Stockport.
Caldy, who have had a disappointing start to the year, look to steady the ship at home to Rugby Lions in National Two North. It looks a big opportunity with the Lions having failed to roar this season. They have won their last two games but are in the bottom three.
LSH after a sound victory at New Brighton in one of the few games to go ahead last Saturday have Northwich as visitors in North One West. Dave McConnell and James Burrows are absentees for a vital clash with LSH third and Northwich fourth.
West Park, one success to date, travel to winless Kirby Lonsdale for a bottom of the table encounter.
Leigh and New Brighton who are fighting to clear the relegation zone have important home fixtures against Sandbach and Vale of Lune respectively whilst Wirral face a tough away assignment against Altrincham Kersal.
Anselmians, who are on course for the South Lancashire/Cheshire One title, are unlikely to be troubled by visiting Collegiate.
Sefton in Division Two give a debut to scrum-half Matt Creighton at Glossop.
FIXTURES: TOMORROW (2.15pm): National Two North: Caldy v Rugby Lions. National Three North: Birkenhead Park v Chester (3pm), Waterloo v Lymm. North One West: Altrincham Kersal v Wirral, Kirby Lonsdale v West Park, Leigh v Sandbach, LSH v Northwich, New Brighton v Vale of Lune. South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Anselmians v Collegiate, Bowdon v Hoylake, Glossop v Ormskirk, Widnes v Tyldesley, Wigan v Vagabonds. Div Two: Marple v Oldershaw, Orrell Anvils v Wallasey, Ramsey v Warrington, Ruskin Park v Trentham, Sefton v Southport. Div Three: Liverpool Rangers v Buxton, Parkonians v Capenhurst, Port Sunlight v Crewe and Nantwich, Prenton v Ellesmere Port. North Lancashire One: Aldwinians v Birchfield, Hawcoat Park v St Edwards. Div Two: Aspull v Eagle, St Mary’s v Colne & Nelson, West Park Warriors v North Manchester, Windermere v Mossley Hill.
