New Vics doubled
BOTH New Victoria teams were defeated at the hands of Sutton (St. Helen’s) opposition last Saturday.
Last season the opposition competed in the Liverpool Competition and will be looking to return to the Southport League in 2017.
At Sutton the first teams competed with the home side batting first and had opener Onion (48) to thank for a good start.
New Vic fought back through the bowling of Jonny Howard (10 overs, 2 maidens, 38 runs, 4 wickets).
The innings then swung the other way as from 130 for 6 Hockenhull (45 not out) and Rimmer (32 not out) saw out the 45 overs for the 8th wicket.
The Crossens team’s reply never really got going and lost wickets at regular intervals.
At one stage being 46-4 a low total was looking likely but with positive batting from Jonny Howard (21) and Dean Jones (60) New Vic picked up valuable bonus points.
New Victoria were all out for 132 in 32.2 overs. New Vic finished the match with 6pts from the match.
At Rufford Road the second XI batted first and a good start from Matty Partington (65 including 10 4s), Craig Walker (39 inc 8 4s) and Sam Knight (42 including 4 4s and 2 6s) to reach 190 for 7 off 45 overs. This was a major improvement on last week and after being 80-5 at one stage the partnership of Partington and Knight allowed a more than competitive total to be posted. Further lower order runs from Nikola Horvatovic (18) was what was needed at that stage of the game.
When they took to the field James York (143 not out) was the centre of attention for Sutton who won by 7 wickets in 39.1 overs.
Ten economical overs each from Martin Howard (1-20) and Curtis Rigby (1-25) allowed the game to progress into the later stages.
The big positive will be that the team picked up 11 points.
Next week the first XI host Newburgh at Rufford Road whilst the seconds go to Moss Side Maghull Both 1.30 starts.
TARLETON were crowned champions of rugby’s Lancashire North division after winning all-but one of their league games throughout a momentous season.
The side also came within one game of a national cup final at Twickenham to cap a memorable year - the best in the club’s history.
Tarleton’s young team signed off by beating Orrell 17-14 in their final match before being presented with the league trophy.
The win ended the Wigan side’s eight-match winning run.
Club Chairman, Hugh Paterson, said: “We are extremely proud of our young squad and what they have achieved this season.
“They have put in a lot of hard work over the last two seasons and fully deserve the reward of the league championship.
“The club has come a long way in a relatively short time and is due in no small measure to all the hard work and time invested by our volunteers on and off the field of play.”
Tarleton now step up to the RFU Lancashire and Cumbria League next season.
The club’s second team also ended their season on a winning note, beating Chorley first XV 29-12 to finish third in the North West Intermediate League North 3.
“Our senior squad is comprised of young, home grown players developed from our progressive coaching structure,” said the chairman.
“Many of the squad started their rugby as seven-year-olds in the club’s mini section.
“Much of the credit for the teams success this season must go to our head coach Steve Gough, who combines his position at Tarleton with Myerscough College Rugby Academy and the Sale Sharks Academy.”