KNUTSFORD’S rugby players will have a testing start to a new season with three of their first four matches taking place away from home.

They visit promoted Newcastle (Staffs) seconds in North West Intermediate League Division Three South for an opening game on Saturday, September 7.

A trip to Sefton’s seconds, who finished level with Blues last season but finished one place below them with an inferior points difference, follows seven days later.

More newcomers, Birkenhead Park thirds, are the first opponent to visit the Academy before a difficult month ends with a road trip to Capenhurst.

Encouragingly, Sam Bensky’s men did win last season’s corresponding fixture – and comfortably too.

A side that finished fifth in the 2018-2019 campaign hopes to have hit its stride by October when they host relegated Winnington Park’s seconds and Village Spartans either side of an away date at Whitchurch seconds.

Another new opponent, promoted St Edward’s Old Boys, are their hosts in November before Wirrals’ thirds – demoted from Division Two South – arrive in town.

Carrington, a point adrift of Knutsford in the final reckoning last time around, is the destination for Blues in early December.

A return date with Sefton marks the start of a new year in January.

Leek seconds and Sandbach thirds also feature in a 14-strong section that concludes when Newcastle provide the opposition again on Saturday, April 25.

The club has started pre-season fitness sessions at Knutsford Leisure every Tuesday, from 7.30pm.

Fixtures (for Knutsford)

Halbro North West League

Division Three South

2019-2020 season

September

07 Newcastle (Staffs) 2nd (a)

14 Sefton 2nd (a)

21 Birkenhead Park 3rd (h)

28 Capenhurst (a)

October

05 Winnington Park 2nd (h)

12 Whitchurch 2nd (a)

19 Village Spartans (h)

November

09 St Edward’s Old Boys (a)

16 Wirral 3rd (h)

23 Leek 2nd (a)

30 Sandbach 3rd (h)

December

07 Carrington (a)

14 New Brighton 2nd (h)

January

04 Sefton 2nd (h)

11 Birkenhead Park 3rd (a)

18 Capenhurst (h)

February

01 Winnington Park 2nd (a)

08 Whitchurch 2nd (h)

15 Village Spartans (a)

29 St Edward’s Old Boys (h)

March

07 Wirral 3rd (a)

14 Leek 2nd (h)

21 Sandbach 3rd (a)

28 Carrington (h)

April

18 New Brighton 2nd (a)

25 Newcastle (Staffs) 2nd (h)