Make or break match for Northwich (From Northwich Guardian)

Northwich prepare to take on promotion rivals Widnes in crunch clash

1:30pm Friday 6th January 2012 in Northwich RUFC By Andrew Simpson

NORTHWICH need to get their play-offs push back on track at fellow promotion hopefuls Widnes this weekend.

Blacks start the New Year six points adrift of their hosts, who currently occupy second spot in the North One West standings behind runaway leaders Sandbach.

They are unbeaten at home since the season’s opening day too.

Josh Cammiss’ men were denied a precious chance to play by the weather when their scheduled Cheshire RFU Cup semi final against Chester was postponed on Monday.

It means their last outing was a 29-11 reverse at Wilmslow last month.

Blacks’ player coach hopes there will be fewer names on a lengthy injury list before Saturday, when Northwich are tasked with improving a results record of three defeats on their past four away days.

But newcomers Widnes, promoted via the play-offs, have recorded six successive wins on their own pitch since losing at home to Wirral in September.

“Losing so heavily at Wilmslow was a wake-up call,” said Northwich chairman Sam Naylor.

“The lads were not at their best and will want to prove they are better than what they showed that day.

“The winter break has given the team time to regroup.”