NORTHWICH thirds set aside their poor league form to progress to the last 16 of a knockout competition on Saturday.

Blacks beat Division Four South rivals Marple seconds, a side to which they lost on the season’s opening day, in the North West Intermediate League’s Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services Shield.

A 25-20 success sent them through to the third round.

Northwich return to league duty at Eagle seconds this weekend.

Winnington Park seconds have climbed to fourth place in Division Three South after winning six of their past seven matches.

A trip to Wirral thirds, currently sixth, awaits when their campaign resumes on Saturday.

Northwich seconds will move further away from the Division Two South relegation zone if they can record back-to-back league wins for the first time since September when they host their Bowdon counterparts at Moss Farm.

Winnington Park thirds won both of their Division Five South encounters during November, rising to fifth position in the table.

They entertain Anselmians thirds, eight points and four places worse off, at Burrows Hill next.

Fixtures

North West Intermediate League Division Two South, this Saturday (2.15pm): Northwich 2nds v Bowdon 2nds.

Division Three South: Wirral 3rds v Winnington Park 2nds.

Division Four South: Eagle 2nds v Northwich 3rds.

Division Five South: Winnington Park 3rds v Anselmians 3rds.

Raging Bull North West Colts League Junior Division B, this Sunday (12.30pm): Chester v Winnington Park.