Match of the weekend

Northwich 2nd v Helsby (ko 3pm)

Blacks' seconds have suffered back-to-back defeats in the North West Intermediate League following an opening-day success against neighbours Winnington Park.

And a task to return to winning ways won't be an easy one against opponents that have won all three of their Division Two South fixtures to date this season.

And it's an important afternoon on Saturday for...

Winnington Park 2nd (v Widnes 2nd, ko 3pm)

Winnington's seconds are still searching for a first victory of the new campaign and will be smarting after a heavy defeat against Bowdon seconds last time out.

Widnes were narrow victors against Whitchurch on the same afternoon, but only narrowly.

Park would love to kick-start their season by beating them.

What about...

The first teams?

They are both on their travels, and face significant tests.

Northwich were almost rewarded for a stunning fight-back last Saturday at Birkenhead Park, where they scored four tries in the final 15 minutes during a 35-34 defeat.

Blacks head to Burnage next.

READ: Birkenhead Park 35-34 Northwich: match report

Winnington Park lost at home to in-form Bowdon, but showed signs that will have encouraged head coach Matt Far.

He was frustrated too, particularly at his side's inability to make the most of their forwards' dominance.

They head to Rochdale on Saturday afternoon hoping to put into practice some of the lessons they learned in a 25-15 reverse.

READ: Park 15-25 Bowdon: match report

Fixtures

Saturday, September 22

RFU Northern Division (kick-off 3pm unless stated)

North One West: Blackburn v Warrington; Burnage v Northwich; Carlisle v Broughton Park; De La Salle v Birkenhead Park; Firwood Waterloo v Penrith (3.15pm); Manchester v Douglas; Stockport v Anselmians.

Lancashire/Cheshire One: Bowdon v Glossop; Fleetwood v Altrincham Kersal; Hoylake v Liverpool Collegiate; Leigh v Sefton; Rochdale v Winnington Park; Southport v Bolton.

North West Intermediate League (kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Division Two South: Crewe and Nantwich 2nd v Bowdon 2nd; Didsbury Toc-H 2nd v Holmes Chapel; Liverpool Collegiate 2nd v Liverpool St Helens 2nd; Northwich 2nd v Helsby; Whitchurch 2nd v New Brighton 2nd; Winnington Park 2nd v Widnes 2nd; Wirral 3rd v Chester 3rd.

Division Four South: Bowdon 3rd v Macclesfield 4th; Congleton 2nd v Northwich 3rd; Leek 2nd v Sandbach 3rd; Newcastle-under-Lyme 2nd v Crewe and Nantwich 3rd; Oswestry 2nd v Linley & Kidsgrove 2nd; Winnington Park 3rd v Whitchurch 3rd.

Sunday, September 23

RFU Women's National Challenge

North Two West: Burnley v Garstang; Bury v Winnington Park; Ormskirk v Liverpool Collegiate.