Wids aim to put heat on Heaton
WIDNES RUFC will be hoping it is third time lucky on Saturday when they make the journey to Heaton Moor for their final game of 2023.
There was disappointment all round last weekend, when their attractive home game with Aspull was called off because of a waterlogged pitch, following heavy overnight rain which fell on top of an already saturated playing area.
It follows on from the game at Warrington the week previous, which was also called off because of a frozen pitch.
So, all eyes are on this weekend’s fixture at Green Lane, and is a game that the Wids desperately need to win ahead of the half-term break.
Despite leading the table for much of the season, the loss of the last two matches, along with the decision to award Eccles a ‘walkover’ following their abandoned fixture with Wilmslow earlier in the campaign, means they have now dropped to second place in the table.
Along with Eccles, Heaton Moor were promoted at the end of last season, and currently lie in tenth place in the table.
They have secured just two wins thus far against the two teams beneath them - Warrington and Bolton – but they have also suffered several agonising defeats by the narrowest of margins.
So, in short, this will not be an easy fixture for the red and blacks who must secure another positive result if their promotion ambitions are to remain intact.
The last time Widnes travelled to Green Lane was back in 2018, when the home side kicked a late penalty to win a high scoring contest, so they will have to be at their very best if they are to avoid what could be a potential banana skin of a fixture.
The game kicks off at 2.00pm.
In the other senior matches; the Seconds and Thirds are both at home to Southport and Wirral respectively. These games kick off at 2.15pm.
Meanwhile, Widnes RUFC is now a proud Partner Club of Wooden
Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby.
As their first project, the Tuesday DIY Club painted the fence panels surrounding Chesnut Lodge School’s newly refurbished playground.
Deputy Headteacher, Anne Butchard was delighted with the results and kindly invited Wids representatives to the opening of the revamped play area.
Fortunately for all in attendance, the weather was kind, and better still everyone was able to enjoy seeing the pupils making good use of their new facilities.
Mark Flett, Chairman of Wooden Spoon Charity Merseyside, which helped fund the project, was joined by two of the school’s pupils to cut the ribbon, enabling play to begin.
In attendance were representatives from Ladies of Bridewell Court and the West Lancs Freemasons who also contributed funding which made the project possible.
John Thompson, headteacher, thanked everyone for their support and explained how the new facility was not just a play area.
It is also a sensory garden, a classroom and a place where pupils can explore their physicality, taking risks in a specialist and safe environment.
We know the pupils of Chesnut Lodge will enjoy their new excellent facilities for years to come.