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Quick News & press releases
Page set aside for topical news items relating to the club, sport in Cheshire or Vale Royal.

Summer Dates for your diary
Despite being the end of the season, things will still be busy over the summer break. Don’t forget to support the Northwich Festival.

Touch Rugby Introduction August 11th
Introduction to touch rugby, open to anyone (male or famale) over 16. Saturday 11th August 1-4pm at Moss Farm. Speak to Gareth Davies for details (07793 394709_

GoPlay Rugby Workshop August 13th
Promotional Workshop for anyone wanting to play rugby. Organised by the RFU in the Goplay Rugby campaign (www,goplayrugby.com) - Monday 13th August 6.30-9.00pm at Moss Farm
Download flyer here.

Socious Sports Rugby Workshops August 13th & 20th August
Week long rugby workshops for players 6-18. Spaces still available at the events in this are :-
August 13th-17th Altrincham Kersal Rugby Club 9.30am-3.15pm
August 20th-23rd Chester Rugby Club 9.30am-3.15pm
Contact James Phillips at Socious Sports at 01727 817191 or email him at jamesphillips@socioussports.com
for more details. Click here to download flyer.

Northwich Festival August 24th-27th
Vast range of activities over the August Bank holiday weekend - see the Festival site for more information. Please support this event. This year the festival will co-host the finals of the UK Strongman North competition www.ukstrongman-north.co.uk as well as the Finals of Talent North West - a new event featuring promising local talent. See www.talent-northwest.co.uk                                                      

‘Start Rugby’ Training Course September 9th
Rugby course for parent, teachers, new coaches or sports professionals looking to learn the basics of rugby to assist with coaching young people. The course will be at Moss Farm - cost £25. To apply please download and fill in this application form. For questions please contact Phil Clarke on 07730 814162.

‘Scrum 123’ Course September 16th
Coaching course on scrummaging. Specialist course explaining the scrummaging technique and how to coach it safely.
The course will be at Moss Farm - cost £10. To apply please download and fill in this application form. For questions please contact Phil Clarke on 07730 814162.

Rugby World Cup (RWC) School Tag Tournaments September 24th & October 1st
Northwich will again be running their famous RWC tag tournaments in September & October to coincide with the Rugby World cup starting in September. The Year 3/4 event with be on Monday 24th September and the Year 5/6 event on Monday October 1st. More details to come soon or contact Kevin Jones for more details. Email kjones@northwichrufc.co.uk For details of the events visit the Schools page.

County School Tag Rugby Tournament October 11th
Winners of the Northwich Tag event will represent Vale Royal in a County tournament at Macclesfield Rugby club.

AGM Minutes
Northwich finished Minutes from the Senior AGM on May 22nd can now
be downloaded from the following link. AGM 2007 Minutes. 

Northwich win the Cup! Northwich 18- Bradford 13
Adam Bown savoured the best moment of his rugby career after scoring the try that secured Northwich Twickenham glory today.

And the 22-year-old telecommunications worker, who shone in the sunshine as his side added the EDF Energy Senior Vase to their South Lancs and Cheshire League one title, was left pinching himself. Bown, who was a livewire throughout and finally got on the scoresheet in the 59th minute, said: “It’s overwhelming and I can hardly believe it. It was nice to get my hands on the ball early and do something positive and then to score…what a felling?” Northwich still have the Cheshire Vase to play for and Bown added: “It’s been a great season but today was definitely the best day in my rugby career. It was a great team effort and the lads made the position for me to score.”

Bradford, who took the Junior Vase in the first two years of its existence in 1991 and 1992, could only reflect on what might have been. Flanker Steve Cowman said: “I am very proud of the lads. They dug in and in the last 15 minutes they threw everything at them, they didn’t quit.” Club veteran Mark Viner added: “I think when it came down to it the sides were evenly matched but they got into their patterns quicker than we did and chasing a game on a hot, airless day was hard.” Northwich led 10-3 at half-time after referee Andrew Taylorson awarded them a penalty try when scrum-half Gareth Davies was held back by Sean Thomas  as he tried to touch down a kick through. It was only what the Cheshire side deserved after dominating the territory during the baking hot first half. They came close on other occasions - a promising run from Bown, and a 30-metre hack on from Steve Campbell had Bradford in trouble before No 15 Richard Langhorn won the chase back and recovered the ball. Their best chance came when another Bown break set up Dave Khanyile, who chipped over the defence and gathered to touch down but Taylorson had already blown for a forward pass. But he blew in Northwich’s favour minutes later and Bell converted for a seven-point lead, Bradford’s only first-half points coming from Paul Drake, who landed one from two penalties.  Drake pulled Salem back to within four points but then came Bown’s score. Bell missed the conversion but a penalty from in front of the posts for illegal binding at the scrum extended the lead.

Bradford lost a man when Jasen France was sin-binned for persistent infringement but they dug in and came back.Replacement Chris Luxton scored in the second of the 13 minutes of injury-time allowed to stretcher off Bradford prop and captain Simon Davies, converted by Drake, but it was not enough to deny Northwich their double. 

Northwich: A Bown; D Khanyile, S Campbell, R Smith, A Chubb; G Bell, G Davies; J Cartman, J Hill, J Brotherton, D Farley, J  Simpson (capt), C Heywood, J Miratana, G Robinson. Reps: V Pasiya for Hill 55, C James for Cartman 80, R Heath for Varley 80. Not used: S Taylor, S Calbraith, J Brunlees, D Thompson

Scorers: Tries: Pen try, Bown; Pens: Bell (2); Con: Bell

Cheshire Cup Festival Weekend
This year the Mini’s Cheshire Cup Festival day is Sunday April 22nd. This year’s competitions will be held at the following venues. (click links for club web sites & directions)
- U7  Bowdon Rugby Club Bowdon Directions
- U8  Crewe & Nantwich Rugby Club Crewe Directions
- U9  Ashton on Mersey Rugby Club Ashton on Mersey Directions - Plate Finalists
- U10 Sandbach Rugby Club Sandbach Directions - - Plate Winners
- U11 Winnington Park Rugby Club Winnington Park - Plate Finalists
- U12 Caldy Rugby Club Caldy Directions
Thankfully the date for this years festivals is later, however you never know, so parents please make sure players have plenty of warm clothing and a hat or anorak if it starts raining. Lunch is usually provided but snacks and drinks are very handy as it is usually a long day. Proceedings usually start early, around 10 am. If you are traveling to support your team, you’ll need some change to cover car parking and a program at the destination club. Some clubs do not have much car parking space so go early otherwise you might have a long walk. As some of the pitches are some distance from the respective clubhouse, it is useful for each team to organise some undercover shelter, tent etc. Good luck everyone.                                                                                                                     April 2007

May Dates for your diary
Despite being the end of the season, things will still be busy over the next few weeks. Please put these dates in your diary.
Royal & Sun Alliance Regional Tournament Sunday 6th May
Three Northwich U14 and one U17 Girl players will represent the North West region in the annual Royal & Sun Alliance National tournament held at Rugby School. Good luck girls. Supporters welcome.
Cheshire Vase Final 7th May - Won!
This takes place at Birkenhead Park on Monday 7th May. A coach for supporters has been arranged and will leave Moss Farm at 12.15pm on Monday. Seats will be £10. Please contact Sam Naylor if you want to come and support and would like a place on the coach, email Sam asap on snaylor@northwichrufc.co.uk
Minis End of season awards 13th May
This years the end of season awards will take place on Sunday May 13th at Moss Farm. Presentations start at around 11am. 
Civic Reception 15th May
Northwich 1st XV and club officials have been invited to a Civic Reception at Northwich Memorial Hall on Tuesday 15th May at 6.30pm to celebrate their successful season.
Child Protection Course 16th May
The club have arranged a child protection course for all coaches who are involved with young players. There are still places. Please speak to Ken Houghton 01606 558677 or Phil Clarke 01606 781441 asap. Course starts 6.30pm until 9pm at the Cricket club.
2006-2007 Annual General meeting 22nd May
This years’ AGM will take place at Hartford Social club on Tuesday 22nd May at 8pm. All paid up members are invited to attend and eligible to vote. The agenda will be posted in advance. Anyone wishes to raise issues should contact Trevor Rawlings as soon as possible.
Junior Schools Year 5 & 6 Tag Rugby Tournament 24th May
Annual Tag Tournament orgainsed for schools in Vale Royal. KO 1pm. at Moss Farm. Volunteers welcome.
Senior Awards evening 26th May
This senior awards evening will be at Hartford Golf Club on Saturday 26th May. Proceedings will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 and can be purchased at the club shop, Rob Heath Tel: 07740 767718, Rick Smith Tel: 07791 709109 or Ken Houghton Tel: 01606 558677.
                                                                                          May 2007

Junior Tours ‘4’ Us.
Four Northwich junior squads will be ‘touring’ this Easter. That’s more junior teams away than anyone at the club can remember. The U13’s have just completed an informal tour of South Wales and the U12’s, U14’s and U15’s are all taking part in International Festivals run by Team Tours Direct. This will be the first year the U12’s, U13’s and U14’s have been away, so thank you coaches for taking out some of your holiday time to help, and thank you parents for your support with fund raising and the cost of travel, shirts and accommodation. The U15’s will be hoping to improve on last year’s performance at the Scottish International Festival in Ayr. Last year they played in a tournament with 15 other (slightly older - as the age grouping are different other the other Rugby Unions) teams from across the UK and Ireland to finish in a very well deserved 4th place. More details of the organised tournaments are here. Match reports and photos will be added to the team pages as soon as they become available. This is a great opportunity for you all to improve your rugby, get to know your team better, meet players from many countries and of course have a great time. Good luck everyone.

U12’s International Festival in South Wales - Festival link U12’s Team page  - Tour report now on team page
U13’s Tour of South Wales - U13’s Team page  - Tour Report now on team page
U14’s International Festival in Scotland - Festival link U14’s Team page - Plate winners Reports of matches
U15’s International Festival in Scotland - Festival link U15’s Team page - 3rd Place Reports and photos see Team page
* photos of tournament can be ordered from http://www.raynerphoto.com/ go to the gallery and select Scottish International Festival
Our thanks go to our sponsors that made the tour that bit easier to afford, Northwich Glass, Apriya, & Pirtek, thanks also to Northwich and Winsford Town councils for their support through the small grants system.
                                                                                                            April 2007

Northwich on road to Twickenham after classic encounter at Moss Farm

Northwich 23 Stroud 17
A 1000 strong crowd were treated to a nerve racking EDF Senior Vase semi final at Moss Farm on Saturday afternoon and at the final whistle it was the delirious home fans who went wild with the prospect of a first ever visit to Twickenham, the home of world rugby. Stroud, who paid a visit and lost in a HQ final in 1998 were worthy opponents for the unbeaten Northwich outfit but in the final analysis the 'blacks' deserved to go through and represent the town of Northwich and the Vale Royal Borough on Sunday 15th April.

The biggest game (to date) was played in superb conditions which ultimately served as an advantage to the home team as they allowed Northwich to drag and eventually tire out the massive Stroud forward unit. Coaches Penny and Townsend had done their homework and their game plan worked to perfection. They knew that the Stroud pack would dominate up front but they also knew that if they could contain them for long enough and run them wide for long enough then they would eventually run out of steam. This was exactly what happened and was demonstrated when with only five minutes of the match remaining and the Stroud pack gearing up to score their third push over try the more youthful and fitter Northwich pack dug deep and drove them away from the try line and into the jaws of defeat. This was a tremendous cup tie with the scoreline advantage continually alternating. It was a game that could have gone either way and both teams were a credit to themselves and their local communities. Things started badly for Northwich when their pocket battleship wing forward Peter Pattenden lasted all of four minutes before being carried off with an ankle injury and replaced by Dean Thompson. Matters soon perked up and took a turn for the better when Northwich rushed into the top right hand corner and winger Dave Khanyile picked up a loose ball and somehow forced his way over to score on the six minute mark. Gary Bell, who was again in magnificent form, converted from the touchline and Stroud looked stunned.

The lead lasted five minutes and as predicted the equalising try came came from a series of driving rucks and mauls to which Northwich, despite all their efforts, could not repulse. Rob Davey claimed the try and Julian harry converted it to level the score. Northwich applied pressure and were rewarded a penalty for a late tackle which Bell converted to retain the lead and then five minutes it was Bell again who in 'Wilkinesk style' slotted over a well taken drop goal. Northwich fought bravely to retain the advantage but again it was another series of rucks and mauls which led to a copy cat second try for Stroud. This try was claimed by Andy Jarrett and Julian Harry had no difficulty in converting it. Stroud were now in front and with half time approaching they probably thought that things were going to plan. With five minutes to go to the break Penny threw on the deceptively strong South African hooker Vuyol Pasiya to replace stalwart Jed Hill. This set of fresh legs did the trick and the Northwich pack drove up field and caught a Stroud player offside. Bell did the business and at half time it was 16-14 to the 'blacks'.

Shortly after the break Stroud caught Northwich offside and Julian Harry scored what turned out to be their last points in this semi fianal. It gave Stroud the lead but it also inspired the Northwich team. Chris James and Dave Farley were added to the fray and as the third quarter ended a Graham Robinson drive set up a ruck on the Stroud try line from which diminutive scrum half Gaz Davies used every ounce of his energy to force himself over the line. Bell converted to make it 23-17 and although both teams came close to scoring Stroud had effectively burst their boiler and it was Northwich who held on to their lead and deservedly go through to play Bradford Salem in the final.                                                              March 2007

North quintet aim to deliver strong Twickenham challenge - EDF Preview

Northern division clubs could be dominating the EDF Energy Knockout competition finals day at Twickenham on Sunday, April 15, 2007. With four teams in the semi-finals of the Intermediate Cup and Senior Vase and another in the last four of the Junior Vase, the North’s bid to repeat successes of recent seasons is as powerful as ever. Three of the teams involved are also looking to complete Cup and promotion doubles this term, with Intermediate Cup challengers Caldy and Senior Vase semi-finalists Northwich already assured of promotion and Broughton Park hoping to claim a play-off spot as well as a Twickenham outing in the Intermediate Cup.

Those twin ambitions, however, will only be realised with major performances at all levels on Saturday. Bradford Salem, for example, go into their EDF Energy Senior Vase semi-final game at Gloucester club Gordon League on Saturday knowing that they face a stern test if they are to get to a national knockout final for the third time. Salem, currently in Yorkshire Division One, were the inaugural winners of the then Provincial Insurance Cup in 1991 and 1992, when stalwart Neil Klenk was one of their most influential players."There are inevitably comparisons between the sides that won at Twickenham and today's lads," says Klenk, an accomplished centre in those days. "The team playing on Saturday will be conscious of that and will be keen to make their own mark."We've enjoyed Twickenham success and we've also been semi-final losers, so we know what it's all about."We're also having to travel, but we've done that successfully already this season in beating Heaton Moor and Millom. We have some idea of what to expect, which in the case of Gloucestershire rugby means a typically well-drilled forward unit."Salem also have a kicker par excellence in fly-half Matt Booth, who heads the Yorkshire One scoring lists and has been very influential in keeping the Bradford side in the thick of the promotion chase for most of the season. "He's in the Jonny Wilkinson mould in that he's not only a very good kicker, but he's also an excellent tackler," says Klenk. "He's one of a handful of players who I see as big occasion players. Another is our captain, prop Simon Davies, who I expect to deliver a really big game on Saturday." "We've had the luck of the draw in being at home to clubs from Yorkshire One in earlier rounds and that helped us to get passed Scarborough and Malton & Norton, but now we're on the road and if we play to our best, I'm sure we can do well.

An all-North final depends on Salem pulling out all the stops at Gordon League and the other semi-finalists Northwich making home advantage count against another team from Gloucestershire, Stroud, who visit Moss Farm. Northwich maintained their unbeaten league record on Saturday when they beat Hoylake and now have a record of 17 wins and a draw from their campaign in Europmanx Lancashire & Cheshire One. They currently top the table on scoring average, but have three matches in hand on second-placed Leigh, so go into action on Saturday with confidence sky-high. The Cheshire club is expecting a crowd of 1,000-plus for the game, with temporary stands in place to accommodate a bumper audience. “It will be a red-letter day for Cheshire rugby if we can reach a national final at Twickenham,” says club chairman Sam Naylor. With key goal-kicker Gary Bell fit for action in a full-strength side, Northwich go into the game with the confidence that only a long run of success can generate.

Northwich go through to Semis - but only just!
Northwich clinched a place in Tuesdays semi final draw of the EDF Senior Vase by the skin of their teeth at the Pearcecroft ground on the banks of the Avon. Stratford, founded in 1877, provided the 'Blacks' with their stiffest test to date and if their kicker Simon Brain had had the confidence to take what was a relatively easy penalty with three minutes remaining it could have been the men from Shakespeare’s county and not Northwich who are now just one match away from a Twickenham final on April 15th. This was a high drama game played before an enthralled 800 gate and which started on a dry pitch suited to the 'Blacks' backs and ended on a rain sodden turf which favoured the much heaviour and slightly superior Stratford pack. It was a dream start for the visitors when from a typical Graham Robinson pick up after 5 minutes of play the Northwich backline released winger Dave Khanyile to dive over in the right hand corner. Gary Bell could not improve the try but on the 17th and 30th minute mark kicked over two long range penalties to give his team an 11-0 advantage.

An indication of what was to come came after 35 minutes when the Stratford pack mauled and trundled their way over the Northwich try line. Second row forward and Frenchman Flo Vialan claimed the try and Brain converted to bring the home team right back into the game. Stratford regained possession from the restart and kicked ahead to Northwich full back Adam Bown who proceeded to pin back his ears and carve his way through the congestion, pass to Khanyile who drew the last line of defence to set up the supporting Bown for a contender for the try of the season. Bell mesmerised the crowd by converting from the touchline to create an 11 point gap. This should have been the situation at half time but in the second minute of injury time Steve Campbell tried to break from deep within his half and was caught and penalised for holding on. This allowed Brain to make it 10-18 at the break with everything to play for.

A heavy shower changed the second half playing conditions and despite Bell improving the differential to 10-21 with his third penalty kick the nature of the game developed into a forwards battle in which Stratford had the upper hand. Coaches Penny and Townsend had brought on big gun Dave Farley in the first half and now tried to stem the flow by introducing forwards Chris James and Vuyol Pasiya into the fray. The forward situation was exacerbated mid way into the second period when through sheer desperation Northwich pulled down an advancing Stratford maul. The wired up RFU officials deliberated and key man Graham Robinson was despatched to the bin. The effect was devastating and in the ten minute period, cheered to the rafters by the home crowd, the Stratford pack ripped Northwich apart and created tries for Max O'Connor and Captain Richard Pepperell. Fortunately for Northwich Brain lost his confidence and missed both conversions but at 20-21 with minutes to go it looked ominous when Stratford caught Northwich offside. Brain could not face the prospect of attempting a kick at goal and opted to kick for a five metre line out. The intention was clear, win the line out and drive over to score a try and win the match.

Cometh the moment and cometh the man, props Chris James and John Brotherton threw back row forward Chris Heywood into the air and he stretched every sinue to win the ball. This inspired the Northwich pack who drove downfield and encamped themselves on the Stratford try line line. They stayed their until they were rewarded a penalty for offside. Bell checked with the referee before kicking the ball into touch to end this tremendous game of rugby.

EDF Senior Vase Quarter Final
Northwich will play Stratford upon Avon (Warks) on Saturday March 3rd. Check out their web site for form :-
Stratford http://www.stratforduponavonrugbyclub.co.uk/

Come & Support
A 71 seater coach has been arranged for family and supporters to attend the match on Saturday 3rd March. The club bus will leave Moss Farm at 9.00am for Stratford and should get back to Moss Farm about 9.00pm. There are seats available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis at £10.00 per seat and they are going fast. Please come and support the team and have a great day out. If you want to book seats, call or email Sam Naylor as soon as possible. Tel 01606 871547 or snaylor@northwichrufc.co.uk
 

Northwich are one of the most in form teams in the country!
(Story courtesy of Andrew Simpson Northwich Guardian)
The Moss Farm men have won every league game so far this term - a feat matched by only four other clubs in the entire rugby union pyramid.
"It's pretty remarkable isn't it?" said chairman Sam Naylor. "We think that the way things are going, Northwich are pretty much unstoppable right now." The Blacks have racked up 13 successive wins in Euromanx South Lancashire/Cheshire One this term, scoring 458 points and conceding just 118 as they push for promotion to North Two West. Walcot, Barnstaple, Syston and Liverpool St Helens - who crushed Northwich's neighbours Winnington Park 83-5 before Christmas - are the other teams boasting an unblemished record. And Mike Penny's men marched into the North/Midlands section quarter final of the EDF Energy Senior Vase following a crushing win over Leicester Forest on Saturday.
“We think that the way things are going, Northwich are pretty much unstoppable right now”, said Club chairman Sam Naylor. A bumper crowd saw South African winger David Khanyile run in a hat trick of tries as Northwich cruised to a 31-7 win. "It was an excellent day for us," said Naylor. "I just got the feeling that they didn't fancy coming here to take us on - particularly after phoning me three times on Friday night to check on the state of the Moss Farm pitch."
With all the other matches falling foul of the weather, Northwich face a wait to find out who they will take on in the next round. Not that they're daunted at the prospect though. "We'll wait and see," added Naylor.