MARTIN Poste said he saw encouraging signs from his players last weekend before challenging them to step up again when they return to action tomorrow.

Northwich host Anselmians in a Cheshire RFU Vase encounter at Moss Farm on Saturday and face the same opponents in their first league game seven days later.

They do so buoyed by a 33-8 win against neighbours Crewe and Nantwich in a friendly.

“There’s plenty to be positive about,” reflected the director of rugby.

“A couple of years ago they beat us from the final play of the game at the same stage of the summer.

“In a small way this is a marker of how far we’ve come since.”

Poste included new recruit Adam Bennett in his front-row against Crewe, while Joe Maddocks continued his recovery from a long-term injury with a cameo as a substitute.

The former, a Kiwi who played most recently for Pukekohe in Auckland, arrived in England earlier this month.

Another New Zealander, flanker Matt Ensor from Tauranga, is scheduled to follow.

“Adam looks a really good signing,” he added.

“He knows his rugby and is confidence in what he does, which inspires those around him.

"We're aware of what we've missed not having Joe around - he's a monster up front."

There was time with the first-team too for Tom Clark, picked by his teammates as the senior colts' player of the year last season, and fellow teenager Tom Husband.

The latter received an award for being the most improved performer in that side at the club's prize night, and scored a try last weekend.

Poste said: "It's important to give those young players a taste of what they're aspiring too.

"They joined in the warm-up with us after taking part in the second-team friendly [against Knutsford] and were in the dressing room when I spoke to the lads."

He will have more players to pick from this weekend when the likes of captain Matthew Poste, Sam Naylor and Richard Dale are slated to return.

However Nick Baldwin and Chris Dale are away.

"The league is more important to us," said Poste.

"But of course this weekend gives us an opportunity to lay down a marker.

"After all, we don't want them going back home with their tails up."

Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm.