Rochdalians heading into new year looking

THE Lancashire and Cheshire AFL is enjoying its 110th season which will conclude with a special celebration dinner in May.

Before then there is plenty to play for with keen competition in each of the eight divisions and four domestic cup competitions.

In the Premier division Rochdalians have dominated the season so far and enjoyed a good run in the Lancashire Amateur Cup.

Their main title rivals at the start of the New Year are Whalley Range who have recovered well from a slow start to the season and are now within a point of the leaders who have three games in hand.

The two face each other in a real six-pointer this Saturday at Range which is undoubtedly the ‘Match of the Day’

Salford Vics have also been in hot form with several good wins and have moved into third spot ahead of Waterloo who made a blistering start to their first season in the top flight.

But all teams recognise that there are no easy games at this level and complacency will not be rewarded.

It is neck and neck at the top of division one with Dom Doyle, promoted through two divisions after a great first season in the league, one of the few unbeaten teams in the league in the lead.

But a revived Parrs Wood Celtic have been scoring goals for fun in recent weeks to have a great goal difference of 47 and are just a point behind Dom Doyle on an even number of games.

Irlam Tigers and Chorltonians stay in the mix should the top two slip up and Moston Brook, enjoying one of their best seasons for some years also in the chase.

It’s also close in division two with the new Whalley