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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.
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Great start to the season
It proved to be a great start to the season on Saturday 6th with a resounding win for the 1st XV 73-7 against local team Moore. The 1st XV had already won their Cheshire Cup 1st XV match with Hoylake, when Hoylake conceeded the game leaving the injury torn side with a pool match against Moore at Moss Farm. The Gentleman of Moore play two levels lower but they fought bravely to contain a vastly superior Northwich outfit.
The 'Blacks' were without at least six 1st XV squad members but their strength in depth meant that the side Kevin Greaves selected looked the part as they cruised through the gears in an eleven try blitz. Northwich kept their shape and momentum throughout scoring six tries in the first half and five in the second. New stand off and playmaker Matthew Bebbington converted nine of the tries and dictated proceedings from start to finish. All players performed well but Aussie second row forward Nigel Farrow looked completely at home and shoe in the Northwich pack.
Northwich led 38-0 at the break with ties coming from Rick Smith, Stacey Hosking, Joel Barber, Adam Bown, Gez Gough and Jamie Miritana. Moore did manage a second half try and conversion but Bebbington converted all of the 'Blacks' second half tries from Smith, Bown, Barber, Chris James and Hosking.
It was a good day at the office all round for the Northwich Senior section as the 2nd XV beat Winnington at Burrows Hill 32-5 and the 3rds came from behind to draw with Caldy 22-22.
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Colts win 10’s tournament
Over the Bank Holiday weekend the Northwich Junior Colts began their season well with victory in the Northwich Festival 10 a side competition, beating (amongst others) their bogey team, Lymm, twice. Once in the Pool stages and again in the Final. Caldy beat Wirral for the Plate.
On September 7th Northwich Junior Colts start their league season off with a visit to the current Cheshire Cup holders Wirral. The Colts will play this season in the Halbro Junior Colts league and having been seeded in the A league will face the best teams in Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales.
Like the senior squad, there are a few injury worries this week with prop Bridle sidelined with a fractured wrist and flanker Jones (Ben) currently recovering from a throat infection. However, the squad came through a tough final training session on Saturday and coach Clarke declared himself "satisfied" with the efforts put in during the whole of pre season training.
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Nort hwich Festival 2008 August 22nd-25th
It is that time of the year again and the organising committee of the Northwich Festival are gearing up for what promises to be the best show yet. There’s something for everyone over the August Bank holiday weekend, either in the giant marquee or on the fields at Moss Farm. See the dedicated web site for more details), this years highlights include :-
Friday 22nd Race Night organised by Northwich RUFC Junior section - see Ken Houghton for more information on the runners and riders call 07740 896845
Saturday 23rd Rugby tournaments for Colts and Ladies teams in the morning with Summer Sessions and Guest DJ’s . again see the dedicated pages for the tournament and contact Amber Lounge DJ Ross Walker 07732 898643 for more information on the big Saturday night event.
Sunday 24th sees the Novice Strongman event organised by Mark Preece 07974 157280, all day competition from scores of North West Dancing Troupes, and on Sunday evening Juliet Brazendale 07967 489487 is presiding over the Talent-North West contest. Also see see www.talent-northwest.co.uk
Monday 25th The big day itself - Bank Holiday Monday will be bigger than ever and have non stop action with a massive car boot sale, the Motor Storm classic (see Angela Birleson on 07706 912826 for more information) and modified car show will commence at 9am and the premier UK North Strongman Contest (see www.ukstrongman-north.co.uk) will kick off at noon. Twelve giants from as far a field as Sussex, York and Manchester will compete for the £500 first prize. Rumour has it that a 22 stone grave digger by the name of Gwynne Richards from Wales is worth an each way bet.
The above will be complemented with an all day bar, fun fair and main arena displays including the Raleigh Diamondback stunt cycle team. The Monday promises to be a real family outing event. Please support this event to help the club raise funds and have a great time along the way.
The four day event is supported and sponsored by a host of local companies and such is it’s growing reputation that Vale Royal Borough Council is giving financial support from the ‘Putting Vale Royal on the Map’. This festival is widely regarded as the ‘best value for money event in the Northwich social calendar’ and this year will mark its 24th staging.
Aside from Vale Royal Council we are very grateful for the support of the following sponsors
Vital:Signs - organisers
Fusion - with project car
Vibe - with never seen in any show: Porsche project car G&B Accessories
A1 Motor Store
Celsus Ice
Max Power Magazine
Planet Valet
Vicky Ashbrook Jewllery
More BHP
Mega Watt.co.uk
Stringer Solutions
MTX Audio
However we are still looking for sponsors for this year’s event? Please contact Colin on 01606 891229 if you’d like to promote your company or organisation at any of the events across the weekend or would like some coverage on the club or Festival web site.
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Bumper Easter for Juniors
An ambitious Easter schedule for Northwich Juniors has already brought in the dividends with silver ware for the U11’s and U13’s. The U11’s faced opposition from all over England, Scotland and Wales to win the Shield in the U11’s competition and the U13’s were winners in their age group of the full competition at the recent Wales International Rugby tournament organised by TeamTours. Consistency and team spirit helped bring both teams success with Northwich U11’s fielding the only girls in the event. Excellent work everyone, let’s see what the U16, U15, and U14’s can produce on their visit to Ireland. Full stories and more pictures on the team pages - U11 & U13.
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Record number make County & Representative grade
This season a record number of players have been selected for developmental and representative honours. 9 players were selected for Mid Cheshire Development squads, 8 players got County caps, two players North West regional caps and 3 players were selected for places at the RFU Schools of Rugby.
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Gavin makes School of Rugby
Gavin Vaughan, (pictured) has had a very busy start to the season. Apart from playing for Northwich U15`s he has been chosen to play for Cheshire. If representing County and club was not enough, he has also become the FIRST Northwich junior boys player to be selected to attend the RFU’s Schools of Rugby. The school, run by Cheshire coaches with the assistance of the Sale Sharks coaching team is part of a national programme set up by the RFU to identify and coach potential England players.
This is a massive achievement for Gavin. The club and especially his coaches are delighted that his hard work and dedication to the sport have been recognised and they wish Gavin every success for the future.
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Northwich U14’s selected for the Mid Cheshire Development squad (left)
Cheshire caps for two U16’s players (right)
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Two Northwich U15’s Girls were selected for Cheshire, North West and for the RFU Schools of Rugby
Cheshire caps for two U17’s players
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First 2008-9 club silverware at Oldham 10’s tournament
Northwich entered two teams, the Stags and the Harts and it was the first string Harts who went undefeated and beat Stockport in the final 19-12. The tries in the final came from brothers Richard and Chris Dale and the winner came from Jonathan Simpson. Matt Bebbington converted two of the tries.
It was evident that the squad in general is fitter than they were at this time last season and credit must go here to new coach Kevin Greaves who places a great emphasis on fitness. The Stags played well and just missed out on getting to the plate final.
Harts Squad: Robinson, Chubb, Bown, Naylor, Campbell, Bebbington, Simpson, Heywood, James, Miritana, Bradfield, Davies, Dale R and Dale C. July 2008
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1st XV vs for President’s Day.
Northwich’s annual President’s Day will be on Saturday 6th December. As usual this will be a day to celebrate club glories and memories past and present and watch some great rugby. There will be a Veterans game at 12.30pm vs Knutsford followed by a key ‘North 2 West’ League clash between Northwich 1st XV and Rossendale at 2.15 pm. There will be food and drink served in the Moss Farm clubhouse and for £15 supporters will be able drink and eat as much as they like.
For more information about the day please contact Sam Naylor on 07772 611274
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New Coach, new captain, new signings; a new era for the 'Team of the Town'
The 'Blacks' commence official training at Moss Farm this coming Tuesday 1st July (7pm) with new head coach Kevin Greaves in charge. The 47yr old Runcorn based police constable was appointed last Tuesday following interviews and the completion of a coaching session. Kevin lives in Stretton with his wife and two children and in his playing days considered himself as a competent utility back. He has coached at Warrington, Liverpool St. Helens and for the last three seasons at West Park (St. Helens). Last season he worked with ex Northwich coach Chris Chudleigh who highly recommends 'Greavsey' for the top job at Moss Farm.
Kevin will have the support of new club captain Rick Smith who commented, " I and the rest of the squad were really impressed with Kevin’s session and he appears to be more of a players man than Paul Reid. The playing committee have got a good squad together and we want to hit the ground running come September."
The 'Blacks’ have made a number of new signings the most notable being Matt Bebbington from promoted Chester. Matt is a PE teacher at Wilmslow High School and can play at 9 or 10. At 26 he is in his prime and has come to Northwich to develop himself into a future player/coach. The club has also retained Aussie Stacey Hosking who is staying for a second season. He will be joined by at least two additional overseas signings which are in the process of being finalised. The new coach and captain will be available at Moss Farm at 6.30pm on Tuesday evenings from July 1st.
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Northwich to stay up!
Northwich battled to a 22-16 win at Leigh on Saturday 19th to stay in the North 2 West league. Well done for a real gutsy performance. For the full match report, click here.
Chairman Sam Naylor would like to thank everyone involved :- “We justifiably retained our league status with a magnificent victory at Leigh yesterday. It was the culmination of a long, tough season which has been both a learning curve and an adjustment to playing at a higher level. Our position does not do us justice but we are where we are and it all means that we live to fight another day. We have the awards evening and the cup final to look forward to but I simply want to play tribute to all who have contributed to this seasons efforts. This means the whole club, the President John Cosgrove, the players, the supporters, the sections, the managers, the committee(s), Paul Reid and Danny and the other coaches, the press and our many sponsors and of course the staff at Moss Farm. As a club, the senior club in Mid Cheshire, we have big ambitions and following the AGM the new committee will continue to ensure that we remain 'THE TEAM OF THE TOWN'. A massive thank you to you all”. April 2008
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Club AGM
This years Annual General meeting will take place on May 20th at the Hartford Social Club at 8pm. All members of the Club are encouraged to attend this important meeting. The committee reminds everyone that only fully paid up members (2007/2008 season) who are over 18 years of age are entitled to vote on resolutions.The agenda will be issued on the day. This is an AGM so topics should be of a constitutional nature and not operational issues, which should be handled by committees. Formal notice of the AGM is downloadable at AGM notice. AGM minutes are now downloadable at AGM minutes (pdf format)
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End of Year message from the Club Chairman
Seasons greetings to you all
In all my 38 years of membership with Northwich RUFC (formerly Mid Cheshire College RUFC), the year of 2007 stands out as the most remarkable and memorable. In my 11 seasons as captain, and during my spells as Coach and Director of Rugby the club enjoyed many successes but none of our previous achievements came anywhere near to what we did in the 2006/7 campaign. On the 7th May 2007 the 1st XV finished their 32nd match without defeat to lift the Cheshire Vase and complete the remarkable and probably never to be repeated 'treble' of League Champions, Cheshire Vase and the National EDF Intermediate Cup. Those present will never forget the moment when Captain Jonathan Simpson lifted the EDF trophy at Twickenham, the home of world rugby.
Supported by our main sponsor John Cosgrove, newly promoted Northwich faced and drew with our neighbours Winnington in the opening match of the current season. Since then both teams have had a rough ride but as we enter 2008 and the second half of the campaign it is the 'Blacks' who appear to be best placed and strong enough to retain a position in this very competitive North West Two League. The 2nd XV are unbeaten and the 'famous thirds' are in good shape.
Can I thank all our sponsors, our players and officials from the Senior, Junior and Ladies sections for their continued support. We also thank the Vale Royal Borough and the County Council for their support and we look forward to 2008 in developing our community club and enhancing its reputation as the 'Team of the Town.' Sam Naylor
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RFU Prize Draw
This year’s RFU prize draw tickets are now in. Tickets are £1 each and are available from coaches and team managers. Please sell as many as you can. There are over 40 different prizes plus ticket sales not only benefit the club but those clubs selling the most tickets will also be entered for a separate draw for further prizes. This years top prize is £10,000 cash.More information to come soon on the Grand Prize Draw web site.
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Stacey Hosking has backed Blacks to rediscover that winning feeling
Injury has forced the Aussie to spend most of the season watching from the sidelines after his switch from the Gold Coast, but he says Northwich will soon be smiling again. “Well be climbing the league ladder pretty soon”, he told the Guardian.
Northwich have won only two games in the first half of the season, both against the two teams below them in the table. It’s a stark contrast to their all-conquering campaign last year. But Hosking, who arrived in town in October from Surface Paradise Dolphins, has a message for their North Two West rivals.
“This team has so much more to come yet”, he warned.
“We’ve had terrible luck with injuries to key players and the boys have been adapting to a different style of play under a new coach”. Paul Reid is a very different character to what I’m used to back home he’s more of a philosopher about the game and thinks deeply about strategy.
But the lads have every faith he’s taking us in the right direction.
Centre Hosking, 25, dislocated his shoulder in the defeat to New Brighton last month on only his second appearance for the club. He hopes to be back in time for the weekend crunch clash with rock bottom Tyldesley. “I’m itching to get out there”, he said.
“I feel like I owe it to the club to give something back to them as everybody has made me feel so welcome”.
Fellow import James Gwynne, a Kiwi, is also at Moss Farm this term.
Hosking admits the pair have found it tough to adjust to conditions in the North West of England.
“I’ve still not sorted my boots out”, he laughed.
“Back home I only play one match a year in the rain but that’s more the norm over here isn’t it?”
Story courtesy of Andrew Simpson Northwich Guardian
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Sponsors come flocking in!
Last year’s success, a large junior following, girls and women’s teams and great web site, have all been different reasons why many local companies have agreed to sponsor the club this season. Colin Johnson - this season’s sponsorship manager has been delighted with the response from local companies. “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to attract interest not only from our loyal sponsors but also as companies new to the club”, he said. “However we’re still looking for new sponsors especially for match sponsorship as well as for junior teams.” As web traffic is likely to continue at up to 20,000 unique visits per month (40,000 page hits) the web site is a shop window not only for local businesses but also a PR vehicle for organisations wanting to support their local community. Please contact Colin on 01606 891229 or visit our new sponsorships pages for more information. 2007-8 Sponsors and Sponsorship details.
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Sponsors Northwich Glass, Landlink & the Anderton pictures with the EDF Cup and Northwich players.
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Chairmans Pre-Season preview
The Northwich Committee have not let the grass grow under their feet during the closed season and intend to hit the ground running when they commence proceedings in North West Two in just eight weeks time. Secretary Trevor Rawling has engineered a deal with relegated Bowdon to start the season with a trip to Clay Lane on 1st September in what will be the quarter final of the Cheshire Vase. The 'Blacks' are the current holders of this trophy and although they had until December to play the round Rawling wanted to avoid any repeat of last seasons fixture backlog and managed to persuade Bowdon to get it out of the way before the league fixtures commence.
New coach
The match will be a good test before Northwich take on neighbours Winnington at Moss Farm on September 8th. This crunch dream start to the league will give new Head Coach Paul Reid an indication of the clubs league prospects for the 2007/08 campaign. Reid who has just turned forty is a tremendous catch for the ambitious Northwich Club. He is a level three Coach and mentored former Northwich Coach Chris Chudleigh. Paul has recently moved into the Tarporley area and works as a Sports Science Lecturer at the North East Wales Institute in Wrexham. He has held coaching positions at Whitchurch and Old Anselmians and is paid by the RFU to tutor and mentor up and coming coaches. He played his rugby at Preston Grasshoppers, Fylde and Blackpool and also coaches the Cheshire under 21 squad. He retains the services of Mike Penny and Danny Townsend who are both looking forward to working with Paul. Reid will also have the benefit of receiving advice from ex Northwich Coach Roger Blake who has agreed to rejoin the club in the role of Coaching Advisor. Roger Blake is regarded and recognised as possessing one of the finest rugby brains in the North West. He is currently a County Selector and has in depth knowledge of the teams and players in North West two.
New Players
On the player front Northwich have retained last years squad apart from Dave Khanyile and Vuyol Pasiya who have both returned to Durban. Nothing has been heard from winger Khanyile but Pasiya has applied for a work permit and is keen to return to Northwich. Natal Sharks have promised to pay for the flights of a quality prop forward who already has a work permit and so Northwich will be gaining a cost free signing to bolster the demanding front row existence. The pack will also be strengthened by Ian Lear who has signed from top club Macclesfield. New skipper Steve Campbell brokered the deal, the duo played together during Campbell's season at Macc and they both played for Cheshire at Twickenham in the County finals in May 2006. Lear is a Fitness Instructor at LA Fitness Northwich and relishes the prospect of helping Northwich to continue their assent in the leagues.
Keeping it in the family
Young Sam Naylor returns from playing in Australia in two weeks time and just in time for his big sister Lydia's wedding to Carl Patterson of Winnington Park. Carl is the younger brother of new Park skipper Mark and Sam can't wait to lock horns against the Patterson boys on 8th September. They all get on really well but there will be no love lost in what promises to be a real curtain raiser of a game. Sam has been playing in the under 21 team of the top Sydney Club Eastgate. The standard has been really high and he considers that his game has really come on during his spell down under. Sam is also hoping that his cousin Chris Dale will sign and return to his home club from New Brighton. Chris was plagued with injuries during last season and his Northwich colleagues are desperately trying to persuade him to rejoin and play in the centre which would allow Campbell to play in his county position, on the wing.
Ex Skipper Bryan Johnson has taken on the role of 1st XV Manager releasing Rob Heath to captain the 2nd XV. Heath sees his role as vital in building a competitive 2ndXV and creating a 1st and 2ndXV squad mentality. Bryan is joined on the Committee by his dad Colin who, as a retired businessman, is developing a corporate sponsorship strategy.
As you can see Northwich are determined to succeed and build upon last seasons remarkable 'treble' and are once again backed by their President John Cosgrove. John believes that there is only one way to think and that is BIG!!
Sam Naylor July 2007
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Framed photos and DVD’s
Ken Houghton has collated pictures and video footage from the Twickenham and Cheshire Vase on a DVD. Plus he now has A4 and A3 framed photographs of the 1st XV at Twickenham (see on right). Prices are given below, please contact Ken on 01606 558677 or email khoughton@northwichrufc.co.uk if you’d like to order some, profits of course go to club funds.
1) A4 Framed Photo - Gold Frame £10
- Wood Frame £10
2) A3 Framed Photo Wood Frame £30
3) A3 Photo - Unframed £15
4) DVD Pack - Twickenham Final + Memories DVD + Cheshire Vase Footage £10
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Picture collection
Click for an album of pictures collected from club members and press etc.
Twickenham Photo Album
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