Last day nerves as Northwich face crunch time

Apr 16 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

DESPITE recording a 22-5 victory over Rochdale with another improved performance at Moss Farm, Northwich may also need to win their final outing at Leigh on Saturday to be sure of retaining North Two West status in 2008-9.

With the bottom three clubs due to be relegated to South Lancashire & Cheshire Division One and Tyldesley and Winnington Park already down, the third spot will go to Northwich or Vale of Lune, who produced a surprise to beat Lymm 23-19 and stay just one point behind the Blacks although with a vastly inferior points difference.

Vale of Lune’s final fixture is at Sandbach.

After their 16-6 victory over neighbours Winnington Park the previous week, Northwich again played with assurance against mid-table Rochdale, to whom they had lost 5-3 earlier in the season.

The Blacks were without skipper Steve Campbell who is not available after joining the Fire Service and Rick Smith took over the captain’s armband.

He will do so again for Saturday’s visit to Leigh with Chris James available after his return from a trip to Australia.

Northwich round-off a mixed season with an eagerly-awaited Cheshire Vase final against Sandbach at Winnington Park on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.