Northwich take latest test in title exam

MARTIN Poste has said it himself – a trip to Douglas this weekend represents one of the toughest obstacles Northwich must overcome on a journey they hope will end in promotion.

After all, they lost the corresponding fixture last season.

The Isle of Man outfit have won seven of nine South Lancs/Cheshire Division One matches played on their own pitch this season.

West Park and LSH, Blacks’ rivals for the title, are the two teams to have returned home as victors.

Northwich will feel they can beat anybody right now – a 38-14 victory against New Brighton last Saturday extending a run of wins to 12.

If they add to that sequence by defeating Douglas, then it will become their best set of results since 2007.

What happened that season? The Moss Farm men were promoted as South Lancs/Cheshire Division One champions.

Northwich Guardian:

Chris James, right, and his Northwich teammates have been in unstoppable form since the turn of the year. Picture: PAUL HEAPS

 

A must-win for Witton? Perhaps…

DANNY Andrews said in an interview with the Guardian this week that Witton Albion’s next two games could prove decisive in their attempt to finish in the promotion play-offs places.

In-form Farsley Celtic, unbeaten in their past dozen Division One North matches, visit Wincham Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

After that, the Northwich outfit head to Spennymoor before the end of the month.

“They’re both big games, we know that.

“But we fancy our chances because confidence is high.

“I don’t look at the table – it’s been too depressing to do that this season – but I might do again if we pick up points from these two matches.”

Albion lost the return game at Throstle Nest 7-0, but did send Farsley out of the FA Cup in September.

They start this weekend’s contest eight points adrift of fifth position.

Northwich Guardian:

Witton Albion and Danny Andrews, right, were victors when they hosted Farsley Celtic in an FA Cup tie back in September. Picture: NICK JONES

 

Rowers attempt to impress national team selectors

NORTHWICH Rowing Club send eight teenagers to Boston this weekend, when they will take part in an assessment of candidates for the British junior team.

Kevin Dudley, Lucy Gillbanks, George Lawton, Greg Murphy, Matthew Roberts, Harry Taylor, Beth Willford-Dutton and Imogen Wolstencroft will wear green and gold at the trial.

They are joined by Grange School Rowing Club’s Matthew Strickland-Baker.

Lawton and Taylor were fastest in an under 18s boys’ double at Hampton Head earlier this month, then joined forces with Dudley and Murphy to win in the quad title.

Willford-Dutton and Gillbanks, in an under 18s girls’ double, classified second overall in a strong field at the same event.

“Hampton Head is one of the most prestigious junior winter events in the UK,” said Northwich coach Rachel Hooper.

“Our athletes took the opportunity to gauge where they stand against the best crews in the country, and all of them showed that hard training over the winter has been worthwhile.”

 

Sapphires hope to smile again

AFTER a defeat last time out, Northwich Sapphires return to action in the Cheshire Elite League seeking a return to winning ways.

They take on neighbours Knutsford at Sir John Deane’s College, starting at 3pm.

The team are separated by three points in the standings, although Sapphires have played one more match to date.

They have met twice in the Warrington and District Winter League too this season, when a 46-24 success for Northwich was followed by a 37-37 draw on opening night in September.

Northwich Guardian:

Northwich Sapphires and Lydia Patterson, right, return to action in the Cheshire Elite League at Sir John Deane's College this weekend

 

Kellett hopes he can

STUART Kellett resumes a bid to reach the televised stages of next month’s UK Open during the final qualifiers this weekend.

The Northwich thrower endured a hat-trick of first-round exits at Wigan earlier this month, so returns to Robin Park Tennis Centre with work to do if he wants to be among the 96 players who will make it through.

A regular for Cheshire’s men’s team, the 34-year-old has appeared at each of the past four editions since earning a Professional Darts Corporation tour card.

His best run was to the last 32 in 2013.

Northwich Guardian: Stuart Kellett's debut at the PDC World Matchplay ended in defeat on Sunday. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Northwich ace Stuart Kellett hopes to win enough prize money at Wigan this weekend to secure a spot at the UK Open for a fifth successive year