League re-shuffle delays fixtures release
ANOTHER piece of the Widnes RUFC 2018/19 jigsaw fell into place with the announcement of the make-up of the leagues for the Second and Third teams.
The Second team will compete in a 14-team Division 2 South and will be joined by Bowdon, Chester, Crewe & Nantwich, Didsbury Toc H, Helsby, Holmes Chapel, Liverpool Collegiate, Liverpool St Helens, New Brighton, Northwich, Whitchurch, Winnington Park and Wirral.
Having survived on the last day of the season, the Third team will again take their place in Division Four West alongside Birkenhead Park, Firwood Waterloo, Hoylake, Liverpool Collegiate, Liverpool St Helens, Merseyside Police, Ormskirk, Sefton, Southport, St Edwards OB, Wallasey and West Park.
The fixtures for both teams will be announced in due course, but there will be a delay because of the on-going reshuffle of some of the senior leagues and the appeal by the Cumbrian RFU – the outcome of which will need to be settled soon.
Meanwhile, pre-season training continues apace for Lee McDermott’s squad with all three sessions being well attended.
New players are always welcome, with playing standards available to suit all ages and levels of ability. Training takes place at 6.45pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday morning. For further information, contact Derek Dyer on 07713 260466. Or, simply just turn up with your boots for training.
Concerns about the perceived lack of home fixtures following the development of the new Lancashire County Leagues look to have been dispelled, following the first round draw of the Lancashire Trophy competition, where Widnes have been drawn at home to Littleborough.
Not only will it be an opportunity to claim silverware, it will also be a reminder of happier times in 2012, when the Red & Blacks lifted the trophy, after beating – yes, you’ve guessed it – Littleborough in the final!
The extra game now gives them at least 12 guaranteed home fixtures, which is just one short of the total in recent years. And, with the possibility of further cup games to come, and the fixture secretary working overtime to plug any gaps, the first team are likely to end up with more home games rather than less. ●