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1st XV Match Data 2005-6
3rd September 1stXV vs Vagabonds (Away) Lost
Vagabonds snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Douglas on Saturday afternoon with a try in the sixth minute f injury time to give them a 15-13 victory. The elated Manx crowd knew the best team had lost, but this was no consolation to the Northwich side who made the expensive trip. Listening on Manx Radio on the way to the ground this was to be a one horse race with a revamped and heavily sponsored Manx outfit promising to be far too strong for Northwich to contend with. The commentator announced a new coach and five south African players in the starting line up.
There are now 12,000 South Africans either residing or gapping on the island and the new commonwealth rule which allows as many commonwealth players as you like in a team will certainly bolster the Vagabonds aspirations. As it turned out Northwich with their new coach and signings were more than a match and were a try up in less than a minute gone. Returnee Steve Campbell kicked the game off and found touch. Vags fumbled the line out Andy Joseph scooped up the loose ball and scored in the corner. Chris Dale missed the conversion and three minutes later also missed a sitter of a penalty. After 11 minutes Vags scored a mauling try to level the score at 5-5 and just before half time Chris Dale kicked a penalty to give the visitors a deserved 5-8 lead.
Vags briefly took the lead in the second half with an unconverted try before man of the match debutant Jamie Miritana scored from a five metre line out. Dale missed the conversion and the 10-13 lead was not enough to keep the Manxmen at bay. With the last play of the game Vags were awarded a five metre line out and drove over to clinch the game.
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10th September 1stXV vs Wilmslow (Home) Lost 7-19
For the second week running missed opportunities saw Northwich come away with nothing in a game that they should have had sown up at half time. They could quite easily have now secured 4 points but as it is they remain rooted at the foot of the Euromanx South Lancs/Cheshire League One. They have the squad, they looked convincing in the warm up, they have good direction in the form of coach Chris Chudleigh and for the first half hour they totally dominated the game. What they did not do was to finish off their scoring opportunities and instead of being four tries ahead at the interval they only had a 7 to 0 lead courtesy of a Steve Campbell try and Chris Dale conversion. This try was scored after ten minutes and whilst skipper Jonathan Simpson was in the sin bin for swinging a boot. Chudleigh made the break, Chris Dale continued it and set up Campbell for a try between the sticks.
At this stage Wilmslow were all at sea and further tries were narrowly missed when Andy Joseph just failed to ground the ball, then Andy Chubb knocked on as he crossed the try line and finally when Chris Dale cut inside instead of releasing to the unopposed Andy Chubb. The game should have been out of reach for a floundering Wilmslow outfit but in the last ten minutes of the first half they started to claw their way back into the match. The 7 to 0 score did not look enough for the home team particularly when Chris Heywood's leg injury prevented him from starting the second half.
It really was a game of two half's and a rejuvenated Wilmslow pack starved Northwich of any meaningful possession. They disrupted scrum and lineout and when a clever kick ahead resulted in a Ben Day try and Bob McCallum conversion the previously composed home team looked rather punch drunk. Their misery was further compounded when Wilmslow fullback Mark Warmsley dived through the tightest of gaps to score in the corner. McCallum converted from the touch line and Northwich were 7-14 down with fifteen minutes to play. This should have been long enough for Northwich to get back into the game but injuries to Andy Stanley and Andy Joseph did not help their cause. Replacements Ged Gough and Steve Taylor rallied their tired team mates but the last play of the game saw a dominant Wilmslow scrum drive the Northwich pack over their own line for number 8 and captain Chris Jones to score a deserved push over try. McCallum missed the conversion and the referee blew for full time. When Northwich finally get their game plan sorted and when they stop panicking and giving away needless penalties they will be a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully matters will be rectified when they entertain Burnage in the first round of the Intermediate Cup at Moss Farm on Saturday, KO 3pm.
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17th September 1stXV vs Burnage (Home) Won 32-10
Northwich kick started their season with an emphatic victory in the 1st round of the national Intermediate Cup at Moss Farm on Saturday afternoon. Burnage from the corresponding North Lancs and Cumbria League one were in the end no match for their South Lancs and Cheshire League one opponents. Northwich started poorly and slack tackling allowed ex Northwich player Chris Moore's to score between the sticks. Andy Sullivan converted and the home side were seven points down with only five minutes on the clock. Northwich winger Andy Chubb who was on kicking duty for the injured Chris Dale missed two easy penalties before veteran back row player Paul Johnson crashed over for the home side. Gaz Davies missed the conversion but ten minutes later set up a break for centre Steve Campbell who nearly made the line and it was again Paul Johnson who picked up and forced himself over the Burnage try line. Chubb missed the difficult conversion and despite Northwich continuing to dominate Burnage drew level through a Sullivan penalty bang on half time.
Northwich completely dominated the second half proceedings, Gaz Davies kicked a penalty and shortly after the restart the on form Adam Bown scored between the posts. Davies converted to give Northwich a two score cushion at 20-10. Burnage were now a spent force and two further tries came from Graham Robinson and Andy Allen with Davies converting Robinson's steam rollering effort.
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24th September 1stXV vs Aspull (Away) Lost 10-5
Northwich threw everything but the kitchen sink at their Wigan opponents but still failed to register their first league points in this seasons campaign. They have now narrowly lost all three games and only Warrington keep them off the bottom of the league. Despite this coach Chris Chudleigh remains optimistic and firmly believes that he commands a squad that will safely retain their membership of South Lancs and Cheshire one. There have been no 60-0 batterings and with a little more composure and finishing power Northwich could have been moving into October undefeated. They completely dominated an average Aspull outfit who were relegated at the end of last season. Although Northwich were without their centre partnership of Steve Campbell (holiday) and Chris Dale (injured) they did more than enough to come away with two points. Time and again, in both halves, they got to within a metre or two of the Aspull try line and either gave away a penalty, took the wrong option or simply failed to finish off their superiority. Aspull with the wind at their backs in the first half rarely ventured into the Northwich half but on two occasions they managed to score against the run of play. Firstly, an individual try by Geoff Gavin was converted by John Linnaker and secondly Liam Reeve kicked a penalty when a Northwich player deliberately pulled down a maul. Constant Northwich pressure failed to secure a single first half point and their effort was summed up when they were awarded a penalty on the Aspull try line and instead of opting for a scrum and driving over they aimlessly took a tap penalty and dropped the ball!
With the wind behind them and only ten points down Northwich had everything to play for in a second half that became all too predictable. The Northwich pack were rampant and continuously bombarded the Aspull line. Graham Robinson, Rob Heath and John Brotherton were magnificent going forward with the ball but instead of then playing the ball wide the Northwich forwards constantly ran into the solid Aspull defence. With ten minutes to go centre Andy Allen broke the second half stalemate and broke through three tackles to score a well deserved try. Andy Chubb missed what should have been an easy conversion but with ten minutes remaining the Northwich players looked strong enough to win the match. They maintained the pressure and turned the screw but they could not break down the 'brick wall' Aspull defence.
Army Captain Chudleigh held a lengthy post match de brief and he and the players will work hard in training to secure two points when they take on high flyers Hoylake at Moss Farm next Saturday. They have pushed to the back of their minds the prospect of taking on Winnington Park in the next round of the Intermediate cup on October 15th.
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1st October 1stXV vs Hoylake (Home) Won 25-6
It may have taken until the first weekend of October and their fourth league outing but Northwich finally delivered what they have been threatening to do from the start of the season when they comprehensively took apart what were an unbeaten Hoylake XV at Moss Farm on Saturday afternoon. The home team were never behind and kept their composure to give the relieved new coach Chris Chudleigh his first league win. Northwich scored three tries in all but it was two tries, one in each half that typified the home sides new found confidence. The first came from full back Adam Bown when his 50 metre dash saw him cut through the Hoylake defence to score a scintillating individual try. At this stage Northwich were 3 nil ahead courtesy of a well taken Gaz Davies penalty. Davies failed to convert Bown's try and missed another easy penalty attempt and the spectators wondered whether the 8-0 interval lead was enough for Northwich.
Their fears were unfounded and Northwich took complete control in the second half. Hoylake did manage two penalties from Steve Young but it was the other special second half try from stand off Steve Taylor which demonstrated the home sides overall superiority. Northwich pressure was rewarded with a scrum on the Hoylake 25 metre line, Gaz Davies fed Taylor who mesmerised the defence as he waltzed through to score between the sticks. Steve Campbell who had taken over the kicking duty converted and this added to his own second half try and penalty. Throughout the game the Northwich defence was rock solid and it is a long time since they had kept a clean try scoring sheet. It was their defence and their 'hunting as a pack of dogs mentality' which secured their well earned victory. Hoylake put thirty odd points on Northwich a few months ago but it was a different story all together as forwards Bryan Johnson, Rob Heath and Gary Evans tore the Hoylake pack apart. Northwich still have some work to do in the line out but their overall 'Chudleigh inspired' game plan is starting to take shape. It is Anselmians away next week and then the much awaited Winnington Park cup clash on the 15th, 'bring it on' say the players.
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8th October 1stXV vs Anselmians (Away) Lost 27-10
This really was a game of two half's at Eastham on Saturday. Northwich completely dominated the first half and should have been at least four tries up but yet again poor finishing and a lack of composure meant that their 10-8 interval lead had failed to kill off their Wirral opponents. Although Northwich were without star players Steve Campbell and Bryan Johnson the team as a whole held a tight grip on the first half proceedings. Despite being caught cold by an Andy Clarke try after five minutes of play the Northwich pack soon got into their rhythm and took the game to their visitors. Rob Heath, Graham Robinson and John Brotherton all had big carries and constant forward pressure resulted in two fine tries from Brotherton who is now developing into a class prop forward. Chris Dale missed both conversions and illustrates Northwich's lack of an established kicker. For the last twenty minutes of the first half Northwich were camped in Anselmians twenty two and were awarded two penalties which they ran and failed to score. On the stroke of halftime Anselmians finally ventured into the Northwich twenty two and were awarded a penalty when Northwich were adjudged to have killed the ball. Aussie scrum half Murry King kicked an easy three points to put his shell shocked team back into the game.
At half time coach Chris Chudleigh who had been commanding the game at first centre substituted himself and Rob Heath who had made a massive impact in the first half. The second half was a depressing, complete reversal of the first half and witnessed a revitalised Anselmian outfit take the game by the scruff of the neck and run riot. Northwich looked leaderless, their heads dropped and they could make no response to three second half tries from Anselmians. Northwich capitulated in the scrum and lineout as Simon Kearns scored either side of a Ian Jessario try. Murray King converted two of the tries to end a miserable day for Northwich. Northwich should have put clear water between them and the leagues strugglers but they now find themselves amongst them. They need to pick themselves up if they are to give a credible performance against favourites Winnington in next weeks Powergen Cup
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15th October 1stXV vs Winnington Park (Home) Won 10-8
In a typically frantic cup encounter the passion of the Northwich forwards won the day against the much vaunted and unbeaten Winnington pack. The game was not a pretty affair and was characterised by massive hits by both teams but on the day Northwich looked as though they wanted the win more than their visitors and deservedly won the tightest of games in front of a six hundred 'hyped up' gate. Winnington could have won the encounter with three second half penalty kicks but they were without Gary Bell and Paul McCafferty, Mark Warr and finally Matt Dodd failed to erase the two point margin created by the penalty, the try and the conversion from ex England colt Chris Dale. The whole encounter was nail bitingly close and littered with penalties from both teams. Paul McCafferty kicked Winnington ahead after ten minutes when Northwich killed the ball. Dale replied with a penalty five minutes later when Winnington were caught handling in the loose. It remained even stevens until the twenty fifth minute when Park overturned a Northwich scrum and second row forward Ian Moriarty burst over the Northwich line. McCafferty missed the simple conversion and just before half time Chris Dale could have reduced the arrears but fluffed an easy penalty attempt.
It was clear that with a half time score of 8-3 for Winnington that the game was in the balance and too close to call. It was all Northwich for the first ten minutes of the second half and they deservedly went ahead when Northwich stalwart Bryan Johnson broke through the Winnington defence to set up the supporting Chris Dale. Dale converted his try to put the home team infront. For the remainder of the game it was attack and counter attack and both teams came close to scoring. Carl Patterson and Will Burgess had several charging runs but the passion and brutality of the Northwich defence held firm. Both teams gave everything they had got and played until they were dead on their feet. Steve Campbell and Chris Dale were magnificent in defence and also launched some exciting attacks. It was a pity that someone had to loose but even though Park were missing a few key players the game lived up to its expectations and provided a perfect illustration of the quality and strength of rugby within Vale Royal. The cup encounters between the two clubs now stand at three to two for Northwich. If this game did nothing else it demonstrated the vast improvement in Northwich's overall performance. They now need to turn the improvement into vitally needed league points. They have that opportunity next week when they visit Sandbach.
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22nd October 1stXV vs Sandbach (Away) Draw 13-13
A virtual full strength Northwich XV travelled south to Sandbach still buoyed from last weeks victory over neighbours Winnington. Coach Chris Chudleigh picked himself at centre enabling Chris Dale to start in his natural position at wing forward. The squad was also strengthened with the return of Yan Cartman in the front row and by a place on the bench for new signing Darren Leggett. Leggett has moved into the area from the Stockport club and at 6ft 6in and 19 stone he will be a massive asset in the Northwich second row. Northwich started brightly and Dale looked dangerous from the kick off. The Northwich pack were in complete control and big carries from Dale and Graham Robinson put Sandbach under the cosh. Sandbach were penalised for holding on and Dale kicked a 35 metre penalty to put the visitors ahead. Northwich looked in complete control but events started to go badly wrong when winger Steve Galbraith had to retire with a twisted knee. Dale had to return to the backs and newcomer Leggett was into the fray after only ten minutes of play. Leggett slotted into the second row and Rob Heath dropped into the back row. Things still seemed to be working and Dale kicked another long range penalty when Sandbach were caught offside. Northwich then went off the boil slightly and on a rare foray into the Northwich half a Northwich player transgressed the offside rule and Lee Pickles put Sandbach back into the game. With half an hour gone Northwich had failed to turn their overall superiority into points. There was then a massive fracas and the ref sent Chris Chudleigh and Gez Gough and Sandbach forward Andy Lee to the sin bin. Sandbach rallied and Pickles drew the score level when Northwich were again caught offside. Northwich were then plunged into disarray when Dale joined his two team mates in the bin for illegal use of his boot and scrum half Gaz Davies retired through injury. Gary Evans came on as sub but events meant that four Northwich players were playing out of their normal positions. Northwich held on till half time and despite starting the second half with twelve players went into an unexpected lead. Second row forward Chris Heywood, now on the wing, caught a high kick and cut inside to set off Steve Campbell for a superb individual try. Campbell converted his try and Northwich looked set fair when the binned players returned to the pitch. Steve Taylor went to scrum half and Adam Bown took over his role at stand off.
Northwich went up a gear and constantly pressured the Sandbach line. All the pressure was to no avail when with five minutes to go Sandbach centre Tim Jones set off from deep within his own half to score a magnificent try, Pickles converted to draw the scores level and despite their best efforts Northwich could not win a game they justly deserved to. At least Northwich did not loose and matters are put into perspective when one considers that Sandbach thrashed Northwich 60-0 in last seasons corresponding fixture. New man Leggett was very impressive, particularly in the line out and his arrival and the inform performances from a number of second team players will gave the Northwich selection committee a welcome headache ahead of Warrington's visit to Moss Farm this Saturday.
There is a rugby revival taking place at Northwich at the moment and the 2nd and 3rd XV squads each had twenty three players to choose from. There is also a cosmopolitan atmosphere with the arrival of two South Africans joining Kiwi Jamie Miritana. 22yr old hooker Vuyo Pasiya from Durban and 23yr old flanker Fungile Teyise from Port Elizabeth both starred in the 2ndXV's routing of Macclesfield at Moss Farm. Northwich won 58-20 with ten tries coming from Olli Watts (2) Chris Heptinstall (2) Andy Chubb (2) and one try each from Danny Rawling, Kirk Arundull, Donny Phillips and debutant Vuyo Pasiya. Brett Stanley could only manage four conversions.
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29th October 1stXV vs Warrington (Home) Lost 12-32
A late enforced selection change, a lack of passion and sheer bad luck allowed an improving Warrington outfit to secure their deserved first win of the season at Moss Farm on Saturday. Number eight forward Howard Robinson who has been 'on fire' of late felt ill before the game and had to start on the bench. Northwich were also without their other forward 'big guns' in the shape of Rob Heath and Bryan Johnson. The consequence was that Northwich looked out of shape from the start and their carrying game failed to materialise. This, combined with a half back combination that did not seem to function meant that the Northwich back line never got out of 2nd gear. It was good to see Chas Wood back in the three-quarter line but he looked out of place in the centre rather than in his normal stand off position. South African hooker Vuyo Pasiya also made his debut but his over aggressive footwork in the loose did not impress referee Geoff Cove who sent him to the sin bin just before half time.
Warrington were really up for this game and apart from an easy penalty miss by Chris Dale after five minutes they dominated the first half. In comparison Northwich were lack lustre and on fifteen minutes they gave away a penalty for holding on which Warrington stand off and overall lynch pin Andy James converted. A few minutes later James cleverly kicked ahead to allow James Shaw to collect and score in the corner. Andy James missed the conversion but kicked a second penalty a few minutes later to give his team an 11-0 lead. Warrington continued to pressurise and on the stroke of half time Northwich failed to clear their line and a charge down resulted in winger Kevin Jones scoring near to the posts. James converted and Warrington ended the half with a comfortable 0-18 advantage.
Northwich resumed with some aggression and entered the Warrington red zone but when things are going badly events conspire to kick you in the teeth and against the run of play Warrington scored the first of their two second half interception tries. Both came from ex rugby leaguer Neil Jackson and both were adroitly converted by Andy James. In between the two tries Northwich brought on Robinson who immediately rallied his troops and inspired them to score two deserved tries. The first came from new signing Darren Leggett and the second from the ever impressive Jamie Miritana. Chris Dale converted the second and with ten minutes to go Northwich went into all out attack. They got to within ten metres of the Warrington line before Jackson put paid to Northwich's efforts to sprint 100 metres to score his second interception. Northwich need to take stock and realise that they are a team who must stop relying on a couple of big players to provide them with inspiration. They are a good squad and with some real passion will easily stay in this league.
They will need this passion if they wish to dispose of Keighley in the next round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup at Moss farm this Saturday KO 2.30pm
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5th November 1stXV vs Keighley (Home) Won 12-10
Northwich deservedly won the Cheshire versus Yorkshire battle at Moss farm to take on the relative big guns in round four of the Powergen Intermediate Cup. Northwich will find out later in the week who their opponents will be on Saturday November 26th but the verdict after this match was "who cares, if we can replicate this we can beat anyone."
Northwich went through on the back an exhilarating first half performance which deserved more than their 12-3 interval lead. The 'men in black' played their best rugby of the season so far. They kept their shape and composure and completely dominated their Yorkshire opposition. South African stand off Lohane Kiewiet, although diminutive in stature was a class act and was instrumental in both first half tries. The first did not arrive until the thirty minute mark and followed constant Northwich pressure. Back row forward Jamie Miritana who was again outstanding stole the ball from an opposing player fed Kiewiet who timed a perfect pass to winger Adam Bown who dived over in the corner. Kiewiet, as he had with two earlier penalties, missed the kick at goal. He made up for it a few minutes later when he again made a perfect pass to Steve Campbell who judged his angled run perfectly to score near the posts. Kiewiet converted and at 12-0 one more score would have broken Keighley. The visitors responded well and drove downfield and right on the stroke of half time a Northwich forward went over the top in a ruck and enabled Mathew Cox to keep his team in contention.
The second half was a torrid affair for Northwich and a catalogue of injuries led to them loosing their shape. The impressive Rastafarian looking South African wing forward Yisemkulu Teyise was the first to depart with a twisted ankle. His fellow import hooker Vuyol Pasiya soon followed with a knock to the knee. Keighley sensed their opportunity but the Northwich defence was magnificent and tackled everything that moved. Stalwart second row Rob Heath then departed with a suspected broken arm. Substitute Andy Allan joined the other replacements Jez Gough and Andy Joseph and all tackled like lions. Things went from bad to worse when star centre Chris Dale received a heavy blow to his thigh and needed to be replaced by Gaz Davies. At this stage there was still ten minutes to go and Keighley were not for giving up. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Northwich line but it was not until four minutes into injury and the last play of the game that the Northwich defence broke and allowed Keighley centre Oliver Jackson to score in the corner. Cox converted magnificently but the final whistle blew and Northwich quite rightly progress to the next round. Why oh why can't Northwich produce this form in the league. One thing for sure Northwich physio Sarah Whittaker will earn her wages this week. She was never off the pitch and will have her work cut out in attempting to get a full strength team out for the league visit to Wirral next Saturday.
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12th November 1stXV vs Wirral (Away) Lost 10-8
Northwich were cruelly but all too typically beaten in this league and Cheshire Vase 'double header' at Clatterbridge on Saturday. Despite being without Rob Heath (broken arm) and Chris Dale (thigh injury) Northwich traveled to the Wirral full of confidence on the back of the Keighley cup win and willingly relinquished their 'home' Cheshire Vase draw. Northwich dominated the first half and secured an 8-0 half time advantage. All their points came from South African stand off Lohane Kiewiet. After five minutes he cleverly chipped ahead and collected to score in the corner. He failed with his conversion but kicked a penalty on the half hour when Wirral killed the ball. Despite being ahead the Northwich pack looked a little out of sorts and in particular there was a lack of creativity from the back row. The second half was a complete reversal of the first and for eighty per cent of the time Northwich were pinned in their own half. It was the Wirral pack who looked the hungrier and who went on the bullocking runs. They gave that extra ounce of aggression and this was rightly rewarded mid way through the half when they forced a line out on the visitors five metre line.
They caught and drove the ball over the try line and Wirralian Nick Turner claimed the try. Colin Davies converted from far out and at 7-8 Wirral sniffed victory. Northwich appeared not to realise their situation and it was Wirral who upped the anti and with eight minutes to go Northwich hooker Vuyol Pasiya handled in the ruck and provided Ian White with an easy penalty kick. Northwich tried to respond but it was a case of 'too little too late' and Wirral deservedly consolidated their league position and progressed to the semi final of the Cheshire Vase. There is no doubt that Northwich are under performing in the league and their problem is quite simple. When the chips are down they collectively look to one or two individuals to dig them out of the mire. They lack the individual commitment to dig deep and to stand up to be counted. When on top they do not appear to be able to turn the screw and equally when they are up against it the passion and tenacity is not quite there. It may be down to their youthfulness and although they have time to turn things around the league performance clock is ticking away. Northwich need to believe in themselves and to respond positively for the next two very tough fixtures. They are at home to high flyers Broughton Park this Saturday and then travel to 'delightful' Scunthorpe to take on a team two levels higher in the 4th round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on November 26th.
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26th November 1stXV vs Scunthorpe (Away) Lost 27-12
There was no disgrace in loosing to the much vaunted Scunthorpe team who progressed through to the last sixteen of the national Powergen Intermediate cup at a wintry Heslam Park on Saturday afternoon. The Midlands one outfit who play two levels above Northwich were just too strong upfront and they possessed a match winning talisman in Kiwi winger Rewiti Vaimoso who, despite the cold muddy conditions, managed to run in a deserved hat trick of tries. Northwich were three points down after as many minutes when hooker Vuyol Pasiya was penalised for entering into the side of a ruck. Full back Tim Robinson converted as he did for the first of Vaimoso's tries which came after ten minutes of play. The Kiwi winger is a real talent and posed a threat every time he got the ball. He scored again after fifteen minutes, Robinson missed this conversion but at 15-0 down things looked ominous for the visitors. They did their best to compete and won ball in the lineout and ruck. They pressed on several occasions but in the first half they had a torrid time in the scrums and with five minutes of the first half remaining the much heavier Scunthorpe pack drove over the Northwich line from a five metre scrum. It was wing forward Steve Heath-Drury who got the touch down and Robinson converted from the touch line. With the last play of the half Northwich were given a confidence boost when stand off Lohane Kiewiet kicked ahead and out paced the opposition to score under the posts.
The sixty yard dash had taken its toll as Kiewiet fluffed his conversion. Half time 22-5 Scunthorpe. Just after half time Pasiya received a heavy trampling and veteran prop jan Cartman entered the fray from the bench. At the same time winger Stuart Mills and scrum half Steve Taylor swapped roles and suddenly the whole shape of the game changed and Northwich came back strongly. Cartman steadied the scrum allowing number eight Graham Robinson to launch several counter offensives from the base of the Northwich scrum. Northwich more than held their own and it was completely against the run of play when Vaimoso secured his hat trick. He injured himself in the process and had to depart the field of play. Robinson missed the conversion but at 27-5 the game for Northwich had all but gone. South African Kiewiet had a different view and in a repeat performance of his first try he brilliantly out paced the defence to savour his second try. Chris Dale converted but with only five minutes remaining there was to be no shock exit for Scunthorpe. Cartman gave the Northwich scrummage the solidity it needed to compete on an even level and who knows what might have happened if he had been in there from the start. Northwich were a credit to the town in the second half and again proved that they deserve to be far higher in their league. They have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability when they visit high fliers Leigh on Saturday KO 2.30pm.
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3rd December 1stXV vs Leigh (Away) Won 5-9
Northwich RUFC celebrated a historic week after being named BBC North West Community Club by deservedly beating top of the table Leigh on their own Ash Park pitch on Saturday afternoon. All the hard work and commitment which has only so far produced an excellent cup run finally culminated in a magnificent league victory against promotion favourites Leigh who took on Northwich on the back of an emphatic 46-0 trouncing of Hoylake the previous Saturday. Leigh coach Dave Peet had however done his home work on this weeks visitors and warned in the match programme that "this weekend's game will be a harder encounter than some people might think." How prophetic his words turned out to be as a fired up Northwich team took the game to their prestigious opponents and in the end out fought and out witted them.
Despite the heavy playing conditions this was a total fifteen a side battle and all players and subs contributed in a nail biting duel which eventually witnessed Northwich win by three drop goals to an unconverted Leigh try. Both teams defended ferociously and it was clear that tries would be hard to come by and it was here that Northwich out witted Leigh by kicking three drop goals, the first from fullback Adam Bown in the first half and the other two in the second half from classy South African stand off Lohane Kiewiet. Northwich had applied persistent pressure throughout the first half and it looked as though Bown's kick would be the only margin at the break but a failed kick for touch on the stroke of half time resulted in Leigh full back Anthony Bentham crossing for the only try of the game. The 5-3 interval lead was not deserved and if anything it inspired Northwich to come out fighting for what was to be a gruelling second half. The second half was even stevens with both teams coming close to scoring but it was the cool head and sound right foot of Kiewiet which secured Northwich their second and much needed league victory. The entire Northwich squad, commanded by home grown deputy coach Mike Penny, were outstanding to a man but special mention goes to 17yr old debutant Sam Naylor who despite making his first appearance against the hardest of oppositions did not put a foot wrong. Hopefully this will be a turning point in this season's league campaign and Northwich will be looking for another two points when they entertain Oldershaw on Chairman's day this Saturday, KO 2.30pm.
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10th December 1stXV vs Oldershaw (Home) Won 20-5
Northwich celebrated Chairman's Day with the pre match formal presentation of the BBC North West Community Club award. Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall handed the coveted award to club President John Cosgrove with match sponsor Ian Johnson of Eric Johnson's Electricians looking on. Mayor Norman Wright and Councillor Albert Bailey, Chair of Moss Farm Management Committee were also in attendance.
Proceedings then centred on pitch activities and by the end of the encounter against Wirral visitors Oldershaw there was cause for double celebrations as the home team convincingly ran out winners by 3 tries, a penalty and a conversion to a sole Oldershaw try. Northwich dominated from the start and despite with only ten minutes gone Chris Dale entering the sin bin for retaliation, took the lead five minutes later when stand off Lohane Kiewiet broke into space, fed Adam Bown who then drew his man and fed back for Kiewiet to score a fine try. The South African failed with his conversion and despite continuous Northwich pressure there was no further score before half time. Northwich started the second half where they left off and a superb break from centre Steve Campbell set up fellow centre Chris Dale for a classic three-quarter try. Campbell failed to convert and for the next ten minutes Oldershaw rallied and were rewarded when they drove over from a five metre lineout. Eddie McCullough got the touchdown but failed with the conversion. Deputy Coach Mike Penny brought on substitute Graham Robinson who soon steadied the ship and reasserted the home teams grip on the game. Campbell kicked a penalty to ensure that the visitors had to score twice to win and then winger Chris James put the game beyond doubt when he finished off a move from a five metre scrum to score near to the posts. Campbell converted to give some credibility to the unquestionable superiority of the ever improving Northwich team. Northwich will be able to put their current from to the test when they visit 2nd place Broughton Park this Saturday. Park stuffed Warrington 67-0 on Saturday but if Northwich can turn over the Mancunians they can look forward to commencing the new year from a mid table position.
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17th December 1stXV vs Broughton Park (Away) Lost 46-8
Northwich travelled to Hough End Manchester knowing that Broughton Park had demolished Warrington 67-0 the week before and that they were in next to top spot with a game in hand. It was clear that Northwich were not focused and they allowed themselves to be intimidated from the start. They never got into the first half activities and the powerful Broughton pack took them apart in a cold, clinical fashion. The normally rock solid Northwich defence fell apart and three tries, two conversions and a penalty later found the visitors 22 points down and the match effectively gone. Northwich rallied in the second half and a Lohane Kiewiet drop goal and a Chris Heywood try rattled the home side. Despite loosing two players through injury and having their tight head prop sin binned Broughton demonstrated their strength in depth by regrouping and retaking control. They scored a further three converted tries and a penalty to bring Northwich back down to earth with a massive bump.
Broughton were professional throughout and if Northwich are to ever compete at their level they need to be mentally stronger and consistent. Northwich have the players and ability to stay in this league. They also have youth on their side and must now look forward to the new year and some crucial home games which, if they get their act together, should secure their position. Next match is January 7th, home to Wirral, KO 2.30pm
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14th January 1stXV vs Broughton Park (Home) Lost 28-15
Northwich produced one of their best performances of the season to date and with twenty minutes remaining led promotion candidates Broughton 15-8 before running out of steam and conceding three late tries and handing their opponents a flattering score line.
Northwich had trained hard and were determined to improve on the 46 point battering they received at Broughton before Christmas. They did themselves justice and if they can maintain this momentum they will more than stay in this league. Northwich were busy from the start and took the game to their Mancunian opposition but they were cruelly dealt with when after fifteen minutes Stuart Cokely scored an interception try against the run of play. Simon Vervickers failed with the conversion but five minutes later gave his side an 8-0 lead through a short range penalty. The home team responded magnificently and on the half hour mark were level. Firstly Lohane Kiewiet kicked a penalty and minutes later Colts star Sam Naylor scored his first try at senior level. Northwich continued to press but a shell shocked Broughton just about managed to hang on until the interval whistle. A buoyed up Northwich continued where they left off and ten minutes into the second half they were rewarded when a charged down kick was cleverly kicked and dribbled ahead by centre Steve Campbell who strained every sinew to pounce on the ball before it managed to run out of the dead ball area. Kiewiet converted and at 15-8 a shock but deserved Northwich victory was on the cards. Northwich battled valiantly and gave everything they could muster but the professional and more experienced Broughton outfit somehow managed to go up a gear and claw their way back into the game. Vervickers kicked a penalty and winger Adam Middlehurst scored in the corner to edge his team in front by 16-15. With only ten minutes remaining on the clock a drained Northwich outfit conceded tries from Tom Foden, converted by Vervickes, and John Clifford with the failed conversion ending what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter.
Coach Chris Chudleigh has set the objective of winning seven of the remaining nine games and on this performance the objective is certainly achievable. The first test is at Warrington next Saturday.
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21st January 1stXV vs Warrington (Away) Won 27-16
Northwich came from behind to ease their relegation concerns and created five points of clear water between them and bottom placed opponents. In one of the fiercest and entertaining games of the season to date Northwich turned around a 16-13 halftime deficit to deservedly beat a never say die Warrington outfit. Star of the encounter was Northwich South African stand off Lohane Kiewiet who amassed 22 of the visitors total. The other 5 points came from a John Brotherton try five minutes from time which sealed a Northwich victory in a match that could have gone either way. Northwich struggled to find their form and at one stage were 13-3 down through two Andy James penalties who also converted a Neil Sullivan try. Kiewiet was hungry from the start and chose to take on the kicking duties and he proved to be in excellent form. He matched Warrington's early penalty and then dragged Northwich back into the game with a converted interception try and a penalty to make it 13 all with five minutes to the interval whistle. Warrington edged to a 16-13 half time lead through the boot of the on fire stand off Andy James who overall had a first class game.
Northwich coach and army captain Chris Chudleigh gave his troops the mother of all half time addresses and inspired them to turn the tables on a determined to 'stay up' Warrington. His other key move was to bring on stalwart prop Jan Cartman who firstly steadied and then dominated the front row proceedings. On the back of a rejuvenated team performance it was then the Lohane Kiewit show as the diminutive playmaker kicked 2 penalties and a drop goal to put his team 22-16 in front. It was then frantic stuff until prop forward Brotherton grounded from a Northwich driving maul. Strangely enough Kiewiet missed his easiest kick of the afternoon but by then Warrington had gone and Northwich had achieved the first of their relegation avoidance tests. Centre Joe Wood made a welcome return to rugby from football; Steve Campbell was outstanding at fullback and number eight Graham Robinson retuned to his earlier season form.
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28th January 1stXV vs Sandbach (Home) Won 23-7
Northwich came from behind to ease their relegation concerns and created five points of clear water between them and bottom placed opponents. In one of the fiercest and entertaining games of the season to date Northwich turned around a 16-13 halftime deficit to deservedly beat a never say die Warrington outfit. Star of the encounter was Northwich South African stand off Lohane Kiewiet who amassed 22 of the visitors total. The other 5 points came from a John Brotherton try five minutes from time which sealed a Northwich victory in a match that could have gone either way. Northwich struggled to find their form and at one stage were 13-3 down through two Andy James penalties who also converted a Neil Sullivan try. Kiewiet was hungry from the start and chose to take on the kicking duties and he proved to be in excellent form. He matched Warrington's early penalty and then dragged Northwich back into the game with a converted interception try and a penalty to make it 13 all with five minutes to the interval whistle. Warrington edged to a 16-13 half time lead through the boot of the on fire stand off Andy James who overall had a first class game.
Northwich coach and army captain Chris Chudleigh gave his troops the mother of all half time addresses and inspired them to turn the tables on a determined to 'stay up' Warrington. His other key move was to bring on stalwart prop Jan Cartman who firstly steadied and then dominated the front row proceedings. On the back of a rejuvenated team performance it was then the Lohane Kiewit show as the diminutive playmaker kicked 2 penalties and a drop goal to put his team 22-16 in front. It was then frantic stuff until prop forward Brotherton grounded from a Northwich driving maul. Strangely enough Kiewiet missed his easiest kick of the afternoon but by then Warrington had gone and Northwich had achieved the first of their relegation avoidance tests. Centre Joe Wood made a welcome return to rugby from football; Steve Campbell was outstanding at fullback and number eight Graham Robinson retuned to his earlier season form.This was a deserved emphatic win by an improving Northwich team at Moss Farm on Saturday. Sandbach never actually crossed the Northwich try line and accrued their seven points from a dubious penalty try when Northwich were deemed to have deliberately collapsed a Sandbach scrum five metres from the home teams try line. Tom Hughes kicked the conversion from in front of the posts and this turned out to be their only points against a superbly defensive Northwich outfit. At the time of the penalty try Northwich were leading 8-0 courtesy of a Steve Campbell penalty and an unconverted Jon Simpson try. Captain Simpson led from the front throughout and inspired his team to turn in one of their strongest performances to date. The penalty try spurred Northwich into aggressive mode and from a scrum on the Sandbach 10 metre line Graham Robinson surged forward and was well supported by Yisemkulu Teyise who then created the space to feed Steve Taylor who cleverly drew his man to give winger Sam Naylor a clear run to the line. Stand off Lohane Kiewiet missed the conversion and Sandbach held Northwich to 13-7 at the half time break. It was 'even steven's until the last quarter when the incessant Northwich pressure resulted in Kiewiet scoring on the end of a flowing forwards move. Campbell missed a relatively easy conversion but the game was put beyond Sandbach's reach when centre Joe Wood made a clever break to set up try number four for Northwich's other wing Adam Bown. Joe Wood attempted the conversion which just fell short and five minutes later the whistle blew to put Sandbach out of their misery.
Nontwich now have thirteen points and another couple of wins will confine their earlier relegation worries to the annals of history. This was an all round solid performance, Simpson had a tremendous 'captains' game and Joe Wood looked at home in the back line. There is no league fixture next week and Northwich look forward to 11th February when they entertain Anselmians at Moss Farm.
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11th February 1stXV vs Anselmians (Home) Won 14-13
Northwich snatched victory in the last minute of play to gain deserved retribution for a poor performance back in October and maintained their steady ascent of the Eromanx South Lancashire and Cheshire League One. It was fitting for Lohane Kiewiet to kick Northwich to victory and to improve upon his earlier drop goal and penalty. The only try for Northwich came early in the second half when winger Adam Bown kicked ahead and out paced the Anselmians defence to put the home team in front by 11points to 10. Northwich had dominated the first half and Kiewiet had put Northwich ahead after three minutes through a well taken penalty when Anselmians crossed the offside line. Anselmians stand off and play maker Murray King drew his team level after 15 minutes when Northwich were also caught off side.
Despite dictating the remainder of the first half Anselmians, with ten minutes to the break, counter attacked and launched their only real offensive to catch Northwich cold and take the lead through a Steve Pilgram try. King converted and Northwich unjustly found themselves trailing 3-10. On the stroke of half time Kiewiet kicked a clever drop goal to put Northwich back into contention at 10-6. Kiewiet failed to convert Bown's second half try but Northwich managed to maintain their one point lead until, at the third time of asking, King made it 13-11 with yet another off side penalty. It looked all over but with a minute to play Northwich drove upfield and a handling misdemeanour gave Kiewiet the opportunity to snatch what was, on reflection, a deserved win. Northwich are now easily safe but have the opportunity to put the issue beyond doubt when they travel to the Wirral next Saturday to take on Oldershaw
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18th February 1stXV vs Hoylake (Away) Won 37-0
The referee deemed it appropriate to abandon this one sided encounter on the Wirral when a mass brawl broke out with 71 minutes of the match gone.The fight was sparked when the referee failed to spot a deliberate kick to the head of Northwich hooker Vuyol Pasiya. Northwich prop Gez Gough pounced on the culprit and the mother of all punch ups ensued. Typically these outbreaks are frenzied and spontaneous and as usual the hundreds of punches thrown missed their targets and no injuries were sustained. The referee though, quite rightly, considered that to continue would have put the players in danger. He spoke to the two captains and gave them his decision to call a halt to the proceedings. League Secretary Mike Massey was contacted and confirmed the rule that if sixty minutes has been played that the result stands.
It was a real pity that the game had to end in this manner as Northwich, particularly in the first half, were on fire and played their best rugby of the season to date. Northwich ripped apart their opposition and led 0-29 at the break.
The Northwich pack were in awesome from and number 8 Graham Robinson scored two early tries which Lohane Kiewiet converted. He then kicked a penalty before firstly Steve Campbell and then Chris Dale scored excellent tries. Kiewiet converted the second and at 0-29 the game had gone for Hoylake. Northwich relaxed their grip in the second half but a further Kiewiet penalty and a Chris James try kept the scoreboard ticking. Northwich were once again threatening the Hoylake line when the dangerous and despicable kick took place. The kick drew blood but fortunately the injury was superficial and Vuyol has decided not to pursue the issue. On this form there is no reason why Northwich cannot win all their remaining games and Coach Chris Chudleigh has set an objective that would have been laughable six weeks ago of finishing in fourth place.
It is cup weekend next week and the 1stXV will train before entertaining Aspull in the league at Moss Farm on March 4th.
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11th March 1stXV vs Wilmslow (Away) Won 29-3
Northwich dented Wilmslow's promotion prospects with an awesome first half performance at Pownall Park on Saturday. A shell shocked Wilmslow outfit found themselves 19-0 down at half time following what was a clinical attacking display from an on fire Northwich team. This was the sixth straight win from Coach Chris Chudleighs revitalised Northwich and on this form there is no reason why his objective of finishing in fourth place should not be realised. The South African trio of Lohane Kiewiet, Vuyol Pasiya and Yisemkulu Teyise were in outstanding form and put on a impressive display for the visiting Natal Sharks Director of Development Richard De Jager. The arrangement Northwich have developed with the Sharks has paid dividends and De Jager has promised to send over three equally talented players for next season. It was a break from wing forward Teyise which set up Kiewiet for the first of his two first half tries; his second came from a Chris Dale break and then Dale himself scored just before the half time whistle. Kiewiet converted his first and Dales try to put the game safe at 19-0.
In the second half Wilmslow took stock and regrouped somewhat and to be fair had the best of the half. They played it much more up front and were rewarded with an early penalty from stand off Bob MacCallum. Northwich responded by launching a rare second half attack and up popped Kiewiet to regain the initiative with a fine drop goal. Wilmslow continued to apply the pressure and were attacking the Northwich line when Kiewiet cleverly intercepted and sprinted 90 metres only to cheekily pass to the supporting Steve Campbell who scored between the sticks. The pass deprived Kiewiet of his hat trick but he had been made aware of the rule whereby the scorer of a hat trick has to buy the whole team a pint! He converted his try to round off another first class individual performance and bring his tally to 19 points on the day. Wilmslow gave everything they had got but the Northwich defence was rock solid and they deservedly prevented Wilmslow from crossing their line. Northwich were outstanding to a man but their performance was epitomised by the sheer tenacity of winger Steve Galbraith who despite his diminutive stature planted tackle after tackle.
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18th March 1stXV vs Aspull (Away) Won 34-12
A somewhat lacklustre performance by Northwich still enabled them to win comfortably by a margin of 22 points at Moss Farm on Saturday. The home team were without skipper Jonathan Simpson and playmaker Steve Campbell for this rearranged fixture on what should have been a blank weekend. Northwich lacked the clinical finishing of late and they dropped their normally rock solid defence to allow the 'Wiganers' to score two soft second half tries; the first from Tony Barton converted by Liam Reeve and the second by Mark Robey. The game should have been over by half time but Northwich missed several scoring chances and only led 12-0 through tries from Chris Dale and Jamie Miritana. Lohane Kiewiet had converted Dales try but he did not have his usual grip on activities. Coach for the day Mike Penny had a word at half time and despite Northwich giving away the two second half tries Kiewiet took control of the proceedings and dominated the remainder of the game. He fed Chris Dale for his second try and stepped up to convert it. He then responded to Aspull's first try with a drop goal and then received a pass from a fine Graham Robinson break to score between the sticks and convert to give his team a 29-7 advantage. Robey then scored his try but Kiewiet but was not finished yet and responded with a clever break to score his second try. He failed with the conversion and the referee blew the whistle on a match that Northwich should have won even more convincingly.
Northwich entertain Vagabonds from the Isle of Man next Saturday and are intent to make it eight wins in a row. It will be the last home game for the South African contingent who return to the Natal Sharks in a couple of weeks.
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25th March 1stXV vs Vagabonds (Home) Won 20-0
The weather surprisingly played a major part in the Northwich match against Vagabonds. Just as the whistle to begin proceedings was blown the heavens opened up and strong wind began to blow into the faces of the Northwich team. For the first twenty minutes the home side completely dominated and played the elements very well. They carried the ball at every opportunity denying any possession to their Manx visitors. This was the last home match for the three South African players and it was clear they wanted to sign off in style. Yisemkulu Teyise the outstanding wing forward caused the opposition all sorts of problems breaking tackles and making great inroads into the opposition half. The Northwich effort was rewarded after 10 minutes when they were awarded a penalty Lohane Kiewiet produced a superb kick to give the home side a 3-0 lead. Northwich stepped up a gear and scored the best try of the match when after a massive forward effort the ball was moved quickly to the left and Chris James picked an excellent angle and scored close to the posts making the conversion for Kiewiet a formality.
Vagabonds dug in deep and as expected with wind advantaged they came back strong. However the Northwich defence was resolute and the try line was never really threatened. Half Time 10-0
The second half became a bit sparring match with Northwich camped in the Vagabonds half but unable to finish some excellent passages of play. On 60 minutes following a good build up Kiewiet decided enough was enough and dropped a goal to extend the lead and get the scoreboard moving. Shortly after the restart Kiewiet produced a superb up and under which the Vagabonds full back failed to deal with using his pace Steve Campbell pounced and ran in a try under the posts which was converted by Kiewiet. This proved to be the final score of the afternoon and gave Northwich a well deserved 20-0 victory stretched their impressive winning steak to 8 matches.
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8th April 1stXV vs Oldershaw (Away) Lost 22-16
Northwich's plan to make it nine straight wins in a row was hijacked on the Wirral on Saturday by a Oldershaw team who were desperate to avoid relegation from the Euromanx South Lancs. and Cheshire League One. Northwich did not play badly but they lacked their usual commitment and in the end were no match for the 'fired up' Wirralians who now do not join Warrington who are already gone. Hopefully Northwich will regroup and finish the season on a high when they entertain 3rd place Leigh for the finale of the 2005/6 season on 22nd April. Northwich soaked up early pressure and scored first through a well taken Steve Campbell try which he failed to convert. Oldershaw then went in by a point from a Mike Chapman try converted by Gavin Scott. Northwich 'man of the match' Campbell then kicked a penalty to regain the initiative but a John Pritchard try gave Oldershaw a 12-8 interval lead. In the second half Campbell reduced the deficit to one point with his second penalty but an interception try from John Roberts converted by Scott and a cheeky drop gaol from Scott gave the home team a 22-11 cushion. Steve Gailbraithe bravely dived on a loose back pass to score a consolation try for Northwich but it was all over and a euphoric Oldershaw began their celebrations.
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22nd April 1stXV vs Leigh (Home) Lost 5-3
Leigh came to Northwich with the chance of gaining the promotion play off position as long as they beat Northwich and Wilmslow lost. They just about acheived their first objective but in the end Wilmslow beat Anselmians and therefore Leigh finished third and Northwich in fourth place secured their highest finish for seven years. It was a nail biting encounter at Moss Farm and both teams fought to the death in a game that could have gone either way. Two evenly matched packs slugged it out for the full eighty minutes and the only try came after 15 minutes when hooker Ian Wood was on the end of a driving maul. Northwich full back Joe Wood kicked a long range penalty five minutes later to complete what turned out to be the final score of the game. For the remaining sixty minutes it was punch and counter punch but both defences held firm. Northwich had three penalty misses but all were long and wide out. Steve Campbell was the pick of the Northwich back line and as usual Jamie Miritana was outstanding in the forwards.
The whole squad, superbly coached by Chris Chudleigh, can reflect on what turned out to be a tremendous season and can realistically approach next season as strong contenders for promotion.
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