..-... MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR Tetley's Bitter is very proud to be the new title sponsor of the Tetley's Bitter County Championship. This sponsorship forms part of our major new sponsorship programme that w ill benefit English Rugby Union at ail levels of the game, from the national team right through to counties and local clubs. The Tetl ey's Bitter County Championship is one of th e oldest competitions in rugby union. It is now in it's l08th year and continues to give players outside the top two national leagues a chance to test their ski Ils at a higher level. The County Championship has a strong and loyal fo llowing, is immensely competitive and every year the players relish having the chance of playing in the Final at Twickenham. We at Tetley's Bitter are looking forward to working closely with the RFU , the clubs, the counties and the Eng lis h Rugby Team to develop and promote the game to its full potential. May 1 take this opportunity to w ish ail teams competing in this season's Tetley's Bitter County Championship the very best of luck. Vincent Kelly Director Carlsberg-Tetley Brewing Ltd 1 CHESHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION CHESHIRE R.F.U. v. LANCASHIRE R.F.U. at SALE F.C. on SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER 1997 Kick-off 2.30 p.rn. CHESHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION President: C.J. COVENTRY The Spinney, Claremont Drive, Altrincham WA14 5NE Vice Presidents: J.N. LENTON, D.P. WRIGHT, 0.1. ADAMS, D.EWING. A.F.U. Representative: G. C. COX Hon. Secretary: D.I.ADAMS 7 Beaumaris Drive, Thingwall, Wirral L61 7XP Hon. Asst. Secretary: A. G. de B. MARRS 24 Westwood Road, Noctorum, Birkenhead, Wirral L43 9AQ Hon. Treasurer: M.COHEN 10 Marlborough Drive, Tytherington, Macclesfield SK10 2JX Chairman Schools Committee: B. DAVID Chairman Colts Committee: D. EWING Chairman U.21 Committee: J. M. YOUNG Chairman Youth Committee: 1. CHARNOCK Chairman Mini & Junior Committee: G. M. PUGH TETLEY'S BITTER County Championship 1997-98 Date Fixture Date Fi xture 29th Nov 97 South Yorb!We y Nomt.mbeOOrd {Otley RUFq lfAGUE 1 G::mwaI v ~ (Redruth RFC) 7th Dcc: 97 South IfAGŒ 2 IfAGŒ' l'btIordWe v BCIhhire (Tabard RFC} Dco.oon v OxbIDhire (Bornstap/e RFC} lfAGUE 3 North HompshifC v Ken! (US Portsmouth) IfAGŒ 2 Surrey v Bud.inghormhire (Imber Court) Che.hirc Il wnc.oshire (Sole RFC) IfAGŒ , {)eo.oorIv~ ( Ti ve rton RFC) 13th De< 97 South Oxiofdwc Il Somersel (Bclnbury RFC) IfAGŒ 1 North EoK'm Coun/it.5 Il Comwo! LEAGUE 1 (Cambridge University) Cumbrie Il NoIts/l.irc/C!erbplirc IfAGUE 2 (Penrith RFC) HcrtbdWre Il ~o (Hertford) ~re v o...hom (Rugby Lions FC) IfAGŒ 3 IfAGŒ2 Swcy Il Ken! (SuNon & Epsom) ~cvOehire ( Sy s 'on RFC} ~v Harnp$lWc Nor1h fv\icJonch y L.oncoshire (Aylesbury RFC) (TSC) (S'ourbridge RFC) lfAGUE , lfAGUE 3 SomerSCI., Devon (Bridgewofcr RFC} Yorbhire v &ni Mid'onch (Sh effield RUFC) o.Iordshirc y ~ f'.biunberb>d v ~ (Oxford University, Imey Raad) (Morpc th RFC) North lfAGŒ 1 30th Nov 97 IfAGŒ 2 ~ v NoIts/l.ino/Dcfby..hire Dorsel/W,b v~fe (Rugby Lions FC) (Bourne mouth RFC} Dt.w+on y G..nbrio (Hart/opao' Rovers) lfAGUE 3 IfAGŒ 2 So..rrcy v 8o.dung~ire (Imber Court) Nom ~ v Chd>irc (Worcester RFC) 6th Dcc 97 South l.oocwhire y ~shjrc LEAGUE 1 (Preston Grasshoppers RFC) Su»ax v Eo~n ~ (Lewes RFC) 1fAGU' 3 lfAGUE 2 North..mbcobxI v Eos: Midbrds ~Q V Bcrhhire (Lydney RFC) (Alnwick RFC) [À;lr~b v Henbdshire (Salisbur y RFC) SdIordshirevYabhire (Burton RFC) lfAGUE 3 Kent v I!ucLnghomshire 14th Dcc: 97 lfAGUE 2 (Thone, Wonderers} Bcrbhire v Ocnet/VVi~ (Abbey RFC) Homp\hire v Sumly (US Portsmouth} lfAGUE , 28th Fe b 98 Counly Champianship MidcJesex v ~ (S ,oines RFCJ Quarter Finals North lfAGUE 1 ~irevD..whom 28th Mor 98 Counly Champianship (Newark RFC) Semi Finals û.nbio v ~ (A spatria RFC) IfAGŒ 2 1 8th April 98 leicœIooh~e v Ncdl. Midkn:b Counly Champianship Final (Stone Y90te RFC) (Twicke nham} IfAGUE 3 Eml N\idIorxls v Sblfod.h;re (Northampton RFC) PRESIDENT'S NOTES It is a great pleasure to welcome our old adversaries Lancashire to Sale today. As a past player of Sale it is a great honour not only to have the game at Sale but, 1 played my first game for Cheshire at Sale against Lancashire we won 1 hope Cheshire can repeat that performance. 1 do not expect Lancashire to come to Sale and expect to lose. Many of the names on todays team sheet are weil known to us in Cheshire and 1 am sure Lancashire. To the players of both sides, enjoy the game play hard and give of your best so you can proudly say that what ever the result you could not have done better. We are indebted to the Championship sponsors Tetley Bitter and to the Sale Club for the use of their excellent facilities to host the game. Also the match officiais thankyou gentlemen for your contribution to the afternoon. Professionalism has brought many complications to our game none so great as with the County Championship and 1 would like to acknowledge the continued support of clubs who have agreed to release their players so that they may have the experience of representative rugby. 1 hope both the players and spectators have a rewarding afternoon. Finally apologies to the Under 21's team that 1 ca nnot be present with them today. Next season 1 hope the fixtures will be arranged better to support ail stages of the game. 1 wish them every success against Durham this afternoon. Chris Coventry, President Cheshire R.F.U. The best qua lity cotton and acrylic rugby jerseys in .any colour com bination are those supplied by Denis Palin Sportswear. As one of the leading names in the business, our reputation is firmly established at International, County. Club COt/N'Y R.F.l/. and School level in over 50 countries throughout the world. -:::-----J That's not ail. We can also supply cotton rugby shorts with button tly . pockets and tie-up waist band at the lowest possible priees. A full embroidery service is also available. So too are Sweatshirts, Polo Shirts, 'V' Neck Sweaters, Training Tops. Hockey Shirts, Socks, Ties and Baseball Caps. Send for a Price List today. DENIS PALIN SPORTSWEAR • 1 WEST ST., LEEK. STAFFS. ST13 8AF. FA:/.. 387493 ~ ~ TELEPHONE: 01538 387481 ;E Cheshire look lorward to today's match against their old ri vais Lancashire appreciating that success is vital lor lurther progress in the Cou nt y Championship . The nucleus of the Cheshire squad is based on three clubs, Manchester, New Brighton and Widnes, who are currently pla yin g successful and enterprising rugby in their respecti ve leagues. Today 12 01 the team selected and 4 on the replacements bench are from these three clubs. The commitment of the whole squad to success in the Championshi p has been solid and determined and they have been thoroughly prepared by the two coaches, Mike Briers and Len Davies. When you see that players hold County honours in such high regard that they are prepared to train one night per week with the Cou nt y in addition to th eir two nights that they give to their clubs to achieve the quality of team play required for success, one has to admire both their dedication and enthusiasm. So far Cheshire have won both their warm-up games against Yorkshire 13-8 and the lirst 01 the Championship games against Leicestershire 38-18. They have been abl y led by their Captain, Kevin Brookman from New Brighton, who himsell gives 100% and expActs and receives the same Irom the Cheshire team . There has been a lot of discussion in County committees throughout England about the place and continued status 01 .the County Championship. It is an issue which needs to be re solved quickly by the R.F.U . and must be organised within the national calendar of fi xtures so that there are no complications for both players and clubs in supporting Cou nt y rugby while competing in the leagues. Personally 1 feel that representative rugby is both rew3rding and benelicial to the developement of the players. It is a breath 01 Iresh air for them to pla y outside their own club environ ment for part 01 the season and in competing with pla yers of their own ability they take both ideas and enthusiasm back to their own clubs. County rugby has a long tradition and history of success and m'erits a sympathetic R.F.U. structure to ensure its luture. The match today between Cheshire and Lancashire promises a lot for both players and spectators. A resurt in Cheshire's favour will not be lor want 01 effort and commitment. The Cheshire players are hungry for success and relish the challenge of Lancashire. Roger 1. Blake, Chairman of Selectors. COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP • CHESHIRE 4f,=,~ .. LANCASHIRE Blue and White Hoops V ~~.~}) Red and White Hoops 15 MURRAY KING Widnes . ~ , 15 MIKE WILCOX Sedgley Park 14 ANDY WHALLEY New Brighton 14 IAN BRUCE Preston Grasshoppers 13 RICHARD HUGHES New Brighton 13 CARL BIBBY West Park 12 CAMBELL BALL Widnes 12 G. HIGGINBOTTOM Broughton Park 11 IAN KENNEDY New Brighton 11 GARY MONAGHAN Preston Grasshoppers 10 ALEX GUEST New Brighton 10 MARTIN STRETT (Capt) West Park 9 NICK BRIERS London Irish 9 RORY GOODWIN Broughton Park 1 MARK DORRINGTON New Brighton 1 ANDY 0' GRADY Broughton Park 2 LUKE HEWSON Manchester 2 JOHN HITCHIN Liverpool St.