Rugby Union: Coast lined up for Caldy return

Sep 8 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY head for Beverley today hoping to build on their opening day victory over Hull Ionians in National Three North.

Centre Marcus Coast, who missed last week on domestic grounds, should be back in the reckoning and a couple of others who were unavailable for the first game will also come into contention.

Beverley, who were very strong last season, lost their first match and will be on a recovery mission.

Birkenhead Park, in North One, head for Kendal, who rarely lose at home. Newcomers Gareth Davies and Gary Lunt form the centre partnership while Sean Ingram gets the nod at scrum-half and Tony Handley hopes to be fit to take the fly-half role.

Newcomers to the pack include David Blythe at lock and Njike Tchakoute in the back-row.

New Brighton and Chester, after being relegated last season, look for a good start in North Two West. The Blues entertain Vale of Lune whilst Chester head for Sandbach.

The Hartsfield side is set to parade some newcomers and returning players Danny Jones and Lee McCourt in the pack. Michael Gallimore and Richard Hopkin look the likely half-back pairing.

Chester have also recruited a number of men and have welcomed back full-back Simon Verbickas and stand-off Tom Foden. Both will figure today. Andy Moore, Chris Keene, Gareth Martin and Simon Abiero are hoping for debut opportunities.

Leigh, who were promoted last season, face a tough opener at Stockport who won the Intermediate Cup last April.

There is a full league programme.

FIXTURES: National Three North: Beverley v New Brighton, Macclesfield v West Park.

North One: LSH v Westoe, Kendal v Birkenhead Park.

North Two West: New Brighton v Vale of Lune, Sandbach v Chester, Stockport v Leigh.

South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Vagabonds v Anselmians, Widnes v Wirral, Wigan v Aspull, Burnage v Ruskin Park, Hoylake v Sale.

Div Two: Ormskirk v Warrington, Orrell Anvils v Ashton on Mersey, Oldershaw v Wallasey, Oswestry v Crewe and Nantwich, Collegiate v Southport, Sefton v Dukinfield.

Div Three: Mossley Hill v Eagle, Moore v St Edwards, Newton-le-Willows v Ellesmere Port, Holmes Chapel v Prenton, Parkonians v Douglas.

Div Four: West Park Warriors v Capenhurst, St Mary’s v Congleton, Port Sunlight v Helsby, Merseyside Police v Knustford.