NORTHWICH begin a defence of their Cheshire RFU Vase title by hosting opponents that lost every league game last season.

Stockport, relegated from the National League without winning a match, visit Moss Farm for a preliminary round encounter next month.

A date has yet to be fixed, and Lymm await the victors in the last eight.

Martin Poste’s men, who start preparations for a new campaign on Tuesday, lifted the trophy following a 36-10 victory against then North One West rivals Birkenhead Park in last term’s final.

Blacks had seen off Altrincham Kersal in the quarter finals before a thrilling semi-finals success at Wilmslow in March.

They are scheduled to visit Rochdale for their first North One West game on Saturday, September 2.

To see Northwich’s fixture list for next season, click here.

Draw

Preliminary round (to be played before Friday, August 25)

Northwich v Stockport

Quarter finals (to be played between Friday, August 25 and Monday, August 28)

Altrincham Kersal v Wirral

Crewe & Nantwich v Birkenhead Park

Northwich or Stockport v Lymm

Sandbach v Wilmslow