NORTHWICH will hope to consign their customary slow start to the history books when they start a new season at a higher level in September.

Blacks, promoted as champions at the end of last term, begin life back in North One West at Vale of Lune.

The first opponents to visit Moss Farm are Rochdale seven days later.

Northwich have proven to be formidable hosts with Martin Poste as director of rugby; following an opening day defeat against Winnington Park, they won all 12 league matches on their own pitch.

The opening month of the campaign will be a useful barometer.

Blacks meet three teams that finished in the table’s top half last year and a fourth, Burnage, relegated from National League Three North.

After that, they will meet two familiar foes.

A trip to West Park, promoted along with Northwich from South Lancs/Cheshire Division One after winning a play-off at Bolton, is scheduled for the start of October.

The following week sees them at St Benedicts, the only side to have beaten them in 2016.

A testing opening concludes with a home date against Kirby Lonsdale, runners-up last term.

The 14-strong section is completed by Altrincham Kersal, Birkenhead Park, Blackburn, Eccles, Leigh, Warrington and Wilmslow.

Northwich visit Vale of Lune on Saturday, September 3.

To see the fixture list in full, click here.