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1st XV Match Data 2003-4

17th January 1stXV vs Warrington Away Lost 21-19
Northwich went down 21 - 19 at Warrington Sports Club in the rearranged game which was abandoned on 6th December following the John Blower injury. At that time Warrington were flying high and were too strong for Northwich. How things change, since the abandoned match Warrington's form has hit the buffers, they lost the next four games, had 210 points scored against and managed only five points to their credit. So for Warrington it was do or die day and they were determined to return to form on Saturday. Northwich, who fielded a fairly strong team, had a different agenda, they wanted to ask questions of Warrington and from early on took them on up front. It was all Northwich in the first half and tries from Mike Gallimore and Gary Evans with a conversion by Carl Senior suggested that Warringtons woe's were to continue for at least another week.
Just before half time Gallimore, who had been struggling with a back strain, had to come off. Ian Bartlett switched from full back to scrum half, winger Dominic Shaw dropped to full back and Chris Heywood came on as a substitute winger. Half time came and Coach Barry James and Rugby Director Steve Wood demanded that Northwich turned the screw and build on the 12 - 3 lead and finish off Warrington. It is hard to put a finger on what went wrong as Northwich always looked the stronger side but before the visitors knew it a penalty and a converted try put them 13 - 12 behind. Despite pressing hard, particularly through John Brotherton and Rob Heath, Northwich could not regain the initiative. A penalty saw them fall further behind and they were all but sunk when Dominic Shaw found himself all at sea in defence and Warrington over powered him and snatched a try in the corner.
Never say die Northwich went straight back up the middle and were rewarded with a penalty try as Jan Cartman was taken out just as he was about to receive a try scoring pass. Senior converted but it was too late, Warrington had got out of jail and the best team had lost.
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25th January 1stXV vs Widnes Away Lost 26-6
A depleted yet spirited Northwich outfit went down 26-6 to a high flying Wirral side at Moss Farm on Saturday afternoon. Missing Dave Massey [two week suspension] and Gary Evans [work commitment] from the pack and with half backs Mike Gallimore and Chas Wood out with injuries Northwich considered that they were always going to be up against it. How surprised they were to find themselves 3pts up within three minutes through a Carl Senior penalty and unlucky not to be 6pts to the better when a second attempt shaved the post. The sticky wet pitch suited Northwich and curtailed the impressive Wirral back-line. There is no doubt about it, Northwich had the better of the 1st half and tactically, by keeping it up front starved the Wirralians of sufficient possession to pose ant real threat. Imagine then how disappointed the Northwich fans were when a break out down the left of the pitch saw the Wirral winger score in the corner. The conversion failed and the half time whistle blew.
Half Time Northwich 3 Wirral 5pts.
Northwich pressed at the start of the second half but lady luck was not with Northwich on the day. The half back combination was not slick enough, particularly when under pressure and Wirral scored what was to be the first of two charge down tries mid way through the half. Northwich came back with another penalty from Senior but a barnstorming run from the Wirral number eight and then at the death another converted try from a charged down clearance attempt saw Northwich blown away. The ref commented after the game, "Northwich did not deserve that, they just didn't get the rub of the green." Let us hope that things improve when Northwich visit Leigh next Saturday, KO 2.30pm. Some of the current unavailable will no doubt return but the guys who turned out on Saturday showed real guts and did not in any way let themselves down.

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14th February 1stXV vs Bowdon Away Lost 41-16
It was a case of great Friday night, [World Cup], bad Saturday afternoon, [comprehensive drubbing by Bowdon], and a superb Saturday evening, [Northwich RUFC Valentines Ball at Portal Championship Golf
Club].
The high score line does not do justice to the effort put in by a plucky Northwich team who were without regulars Heath and Massey but it does illustrate the difference between a team who are fit and clearly
train together and one, who for one reason or another, seems to be drifting into a situation where they think they can miss out on training and turn out on a Saturday and play decent rugby. Well I am sorry Northwich it does not work like that! It would be great if it did but rugby is just the same as any other sport, the more you put in the more you get out of it.
Northwich need to re learn this quickly, put some graft in, get organised and get a couple of wins under their belts, otherwise along with their foot balling counterparts, Northwich RUFC is staring down the barrel of relegation.
The good thing is, with a bit of hard work Northwich can achieve, they have the raw material, it is simply the commitment of a sizeable number of the squad that needs to improve and quickly.Bowdon came to Northwich on Saturday heading the league and went away in the same position but they knew that they had been in a game and
fully realised that if Northwich could have produced some more fire in the engine room that it could have been a different story altogether.
It was nip and tuck for the first quarter with a Carl Senior penalty canceling out an earlier penalty from Bowdon. What looked like an obvious forward pass by Bowdon was allowed to continue and they scored, against the run of play, under the posts. The try was converted and Bowdon were 10-3 up. Senior kicked another pen to make it 10-6 and when a Bowdon player was yellow carded Northwich failed to seize the initiative and on the stroke of halt time gave away a soft try. This was converted and Bowdon were 17-6 ahead in a game which for most of it Northwich had dominated.
Things went horribly wrong in the second half, second row Chris Heywood was sin binned and Northwich lost the plot completely. Bowdon scored three quick tries in succession and converted one of them to put the
game beyond the reach of Northwich at 34-6. For once, Northwich realised that things were not working and brought on their subs. Kevin Stansfield, Steve Taylor and Stuart Mills were sent into the fray and hey presto Northwich restored some credibility with tries from JanCartman and Stuart Mills. At 34-16 the game was over on the clock but
the ref delayed his whistle and allowed Bowdon to score another easy try under the posts, game set and match to Bowdon at 41-16, flattery!!
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21st February 1stXV vs IOM Vgabonds Away Lost 33-16
Northwich flew to the IOM on Saturday with prodical son Andy Allen backfrom his spell at Chester and able to play following a £70 express registration. Andy is an exciting winger and his selection inclusion was intended to
bolster a Northwich team who despite missing skipper Rob Heath and hooker Dave Massey were hopeful of repeating last years visit when they won on the island for the very first time.
In glorious sunshine with panoramic views of Douglas Harbour the visitors were greeted by a crowd swelled by Northwich Vets who had kicked off earlier on the same pitch and seen off an IOM Vets XV 24 -22.
It was a promising start and Carl Senior, with the wind at his back, put his team ahead with a well executed penalty. Northwich appeared to be an equal match for the Manxmen who were fired up for a game which was
broadcast live on one of the IOM radio stations. It then seemed that the revamped and strengthened Northwich back line were to be deprived of the opportunity to impress. Every time Northwich gained clean possession
they then seemed to conspire to give the ball to their thankful opposition and it was on two such occasions when, against the run of play, the Vags ran in two fist half tries. One of the tries was converted and half time came with the home side 12 - 3 up and with the wind advantage in the second half.
Northwich endeavored to get back into the game and Dean Thompson and Gary Evans did their level best to carry the ball to the opposition. Time and time again their efforts were in vain as they were held up and
consequential srums saw the IOM number 8 pick up and spin through often feeble tackles. He was single handedly responsible for scoring and making two further tries, both converted which effectively blew Northwich away at 26 - 3. Give Northwich credit though they fought valiantly and tries from Ricky Evans and Mike Gallimore and a penalty
from Senior gave an air of respectability to the score line. Yet again on the stoke of full time a tired and it has to be said, a fairly unfit Northwich, let their defences slip and concede a last gasp try.

This is the second time that Andy Allen has returned to Northwich, let us hope that he now makes it his permanent home. He had one or two promising runs but he now needs to train with what could be a promising back line. The game against Southport at Moss Farm this Saturday is crunch time for Northwich who need two points to secure their league status. If they train hard this week and play with some fire and enthusiasm on Saturday then they should clinch it, it's down to them!
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28th February 1stXV vs Southport Draw 10-10
A desperate game played by two desperate teams who were fighting to avoid dropping into the relegation zone. Southport came to Northwich trailing them by one point in the league, they left in the same situation having secured a last gasp draw against a panicky Northwich team who led throughout but failed to turn their superiority into points.
Northwich looked the better outfit from the off but they lacked the conviction to turn the screw and a general lack of flair ensured a dour first quarter. The stalemate was broken when, eventually, the ball travelled along the Northwich back line and the nimble footed Andy Allen dived over in the left hand corner. Gallimore failed with the difficult conversion and this proved to be the first of several unsuccessful attempts to slot the ball between the uprights. He missed two easier penalty attempts before a soft off side offence gave the visitors a gift of a penalty. This was one of the few occasions that Southport ventured close to the Northwich line and a more determined and robust home team should have ensured that the game was beyond reach by the half way stage. As it transpired the teams changed ends at 5 - 3 and Southport had everything to play for.
The second half looked promising for Northwich and captain Rob Heath had some block busting runs. It was as a result of one such run that the ball was handed to right winger Stuart Mills who forced his way over in the corner with only inches to spare. Gallimore failed again but so what, Southport would now surely crumble under the Northwich cosh. With twenty minutes to go the home team should have gone for the jugular, raised their game and finished off what was after all a very average team. They came close but if anything, either through fatigue or
complacency Northwich were unable to put the match beyond doubt. It seemed their prayers were answered when one of Southports better forwards was sin binned. All Northwich had to do was to play percentage rugby, stick the ball up their jumpers and play out the remainder of the game. But no, it was Southport who upped the anti and when Jonathan Simpson was yellow carded for killing the ball a slick break in the centre saw Southport score under the posts and with the conversion level the score. With three minutes to go Northwich played down field and
secured a 35 metre penalty attempt. Gallimore hadn't the confidence to attempt it so up stepped Ricky Evans, was it to be cometh the moment cometh the man? No it wasn't, it was well wide and so Northwich have to continue their relegation dog fight for another week or so.
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13th March 1stXV vs Wigan Lost 39-12
Northwich are still looking into the abyss of relegation following a heavy defeat at the hands of an improving Wigan outfit who have recently
picked up some disenchanted Orrell players. Director of Rugby Steve Wood did his best to fire up a Northwich team missing a number of key players and sheered up with a couple of fairly inexperienced 2nd XV players.
It looked as though his team talk may have produced the goods as Northwich went into the half time interval leading 10-12. A break from Richard Norton had set up Dave Massey for a try, [failed con from Ricky Evans,] to give the visitors a deserved lead twenty minutes into the first half. Wigan hit straight back with an unconverted try and then went ahead when slack tackling gifted the Wigan left winger an easy run
in. The conversion failed and half time was approaching when themercurial Andy Allen leveled the score with a fine try and Evans obliged
with the conversion to give Northwich the lead and the prospect of slaying the dragon of relegation.
However, it was not to be, a combination of lucky bounces and the exposure of a weakness on the Northwich right flank saw Wigan blow Northwich away with three quick tries. At 29-12 the game was lost but to their credit Northwich battled on and tried to get back into the game.
The result was that first John Brotherton and then Dave Massey left the field injured. Keith Bate and Kevin Stansfield came on and did their best but a penalty and a last minute soft try saw Wigan run out deserved winners.
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4th April March 1stXV vs Warrington Won 24-10
There was indeed deep joy at Moss Farm on Saturday afternoon when a big crowd, which included John Blower who had secured a special pass from the spinal injuries unit at Southport, witnessed an emphatic victory against a struggling but defiant Warrington outfit. The win ensured that Northwich will play in the same league next season and if their performance on Saturday is anything to go by they could well be in the promotion stakes by this time next year.Warrington had come bearing gifts and before the kick off Dave Roughly, the ex England centre and current Warrington president, handed over a cheque for the John Blower Fund to the tune of £5,000. They desperately needed to beat Northwich to avoid the ever increasing prospect of going down and now face a do or die match at already relegated Birchfield a week on Saturday.
Northwich knew the importance of the encounter and regardless of what Warrington are doing for John they were in no mood to do any favours. Director of Rugby Steve Wood and coach Barry James had done the preparation work and it was a determined, steely eyed Rob Heath who walked his team calmly onto the Moss Farm surface. It proved to be the calm before the storm as two teams battered into each other in a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand. Both defences held firm and bone crunching tackle after tackle prevented either side from scoring.It was Northwich full back Huw Jones, recalled from his studies at Durham University who held the key to Warrington's downfall. His mesmeric runs, often from deep in defence unlocked the door to Warringtons try line and it was an on fire Huw who played a part in all the home sides points. A tremendous break from scrum Half Stuart Mills resulted in Warrington killing the ball in front of their own sticks and Jones, who had been given the kicking job duly obliged. Twenty minutes had gone by this stage and five minutes later a dancing solo effort from Jones saw him swerve his way under the posts, he converted his own try and raised his tally to ten points. Northwich continued to have the upper hand but were unable to gain any further advantage before half time. Half time Northwich 10 Warrington 0.
Warrington threw everything into the start of the second period and a slick three-quarter move saw the full back come from depth and at a real pace breaking the Northwich defence for the first and last time. The speedy Ian Nicholson touched down between the posts and stand off Matty Drinkwater converted. At 10-7 it really was game on.Northwich responded magnificently to a man, they carried the ball well and slowly but surely ground down their erstwhile opponents. Again it was a blistering break by Jones who set up Mike Gallimore for a try, Jones converted to make it 17-7 but Warrington came right back into it when Northwich were penalised for holding on. Matty Drinkwater converted the penalty to make it 17-10. Northwich held their nerve and with ten minutes to go sealed the game when yet again Huw Jones swayed and swerved his way to the left and set up replacement winger Ricky Evans to score in the corner. Jones who did not put a foot wrong all afternoon converted from the touchline. Warrington fought bravely but were unable to break through.
A magnificent win by a team who for once lived up to their potential. All played their part but Jones was the maestro and if a forward has to be singled out then young Chris Heywood played his heart out.
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18th April March 1stXV vs Widnes Won 18-10
Northwich put paid to any relegation equations with a deserved and emphatic victory against the league champions at Widnes on Saturday. A full strength and fired up Northwich team fought back, stuck to their task and resolutely defended a well crafted lead to defy a shocked Widnes outfit who were determined to finish off their excellent season with a home win.The first quarter was all Widnes and Northwich were pinned deep in their own half for long, long periods. Widnes scored early on through a set piece from a lineout, fortunately the Widnes kicker had a dreadful afternoon and failed with this and every subsequent attempt at goal. They continued to press but in the second quarter Northwich grew in confidence and increasingly raided the Widnes 22. The Widnes defence finally caved in when Huw Jones streaked through to score under the posts. The normally cool Jones fluffed the easy conversion and a few minutes later missed a sitter of a penalty. The half finished at 5-5 but Northwich should have been five points up at 5-10.
Northwich upped the anti in the second half and in a complete reversal of the first half it was they who camped themselves in the Widnes half. They were rewarded with a penalty and the tenacious Mike Gallimore stepped up to take the kick. It sailed through the uprights to give the visitors a deserved 5-8 advantage but never say die Widnes, egged on by the big crowd, broke on the blind side and scored against the run of play. The kicker again failed an easy kick and their 10-8 lead just simply was not enough. Northwich roared back into the Widnes half, Widnes were penalised for holding on and Gallimore slotted over his second penalty to give his team a one point lead. This was probably sufficient to secure a victory as the big hits from Massey and Brotherton inspired their colleagues to keep Widnes at bay, no matter what. The game was sealed when man of the match Gallimore ducked under the Widnes defence to score a magnificent try. He converted to complete the score and it was game set and match to a Northwich team who for once displayed their true potential in beating a really good team.
Dave Massey and John Brotherton were outstanding and yet again Mike Gallimore proved that his best position is in the centre. Captain Rob Heath led from the front and Chas Wood at stand off had a commanding game.
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