Fixtures and Results 2010 - 11 Club President Wolves Vikings Hawks Ravens N1W SU1 SU4S SU5E JON HITCH SEP 3 BROUGHTON PK L Trafford MV L Whitchurch P STOCKPORT 5 W 10 Northwich L ROSSENDALE P BOWDON W Bowdon W Welcomes 17 ANSELMIANS W Waterloo W Heaton Moor 2 W HEATON MOOR 3 L 24 LEIGH L Leigh W OLD BEDIANS 2 W Didsbury TH W WIDNES OCT 1 Widnes L STOCKPORT 3 W Didsbury TH W ASHTON ON M 3 W 8 ASPATRIA W Macclesfield 3 L NORTHWICH 4 W Holmes Chapel 2 W 15 Sandbach L SANDBACH W Winnington Pk W Welcome to a New Year and the second half of the season. This is the first home game since 22 ROCHDALE W Preston GH 3 W Knutsford 2 W MACCLESFIELD L December 10th! Gone are the days when Christmas was a busy playing and social period at the club- 29 Carlisle L Carlisle W OSWESTRY 2 Crewe & Nantwich playing local derby’s against either Sale, Broughton Park or Manchester on Boxing Day, with one NOV 5 VALE OF LUNE W Aldwinians W Crewe & Nantwich D BUXTON 2 L hangover seemingly merging seamlessly with another! With the pressure of life now and the rugby 12 Liverpool St. H L BIRKENHEAD PK W ACTON NOMADS 1 W Acton Nomads 2 W 19 WIRRAL W Wirral W Northwich W CONGLETON 2 W structure as it is, it is probably better for all to recharge batteries. It certainly helps to preserve the pitch 24 Liverpool St. H (Cup) L as Maurice keeps telling me! 26 DEC 3 Wigton L KENDAL W TRAFFORD MV W Lymm L I normally like to have a bit of a go against some of the stupidities in the rugby structure and the RFU 10 NORTHWICH W Rossendale W Bowdon P BOWDON W 17 Anselmians P WATERLOO W HEATON MOOR 2 W Heaton Moor 3 W top echelons. I will give it a rest this week. Let Stuart Lanchester see if he can get something out of 24 the mess, to give us hope. I think the tirades may come from other articles in this edition of the 31 magazine, so read on! JAN 7 Leigh W Sandbach W Old Bedians 2 W DIDSBURY TH W 14 WIDNES Stockport 3 DIDSBURY TH Ashton on Mersey 3 21 Anselmians Oswestry (Shield) DUKINFIELD (Plate) The Wolves ended the first half of the season on a high with a very satisfying home win against 28 Aspatria MACCLESFIELD 3 Northwich 4 HOLMES CHAPEL 2 Northwich, who really fancied themselves as title contenders and who ended the game quite

FEB 4 SANDBACH Sandbach WINNINGON PK demoralised. With the Anselmians game postponed until 21st January, the next game was away at 11 Leigh last week and I was very surprised and heartened by the events. Surprised, because the Leigh 18 Rochdale PRESTON GH 3 KNUTSFORD 2 Macclesfield pitch was excellent. I remember nearly drowning on a Leigh pitch playing for the Vets, so I had gone 25 prepared with willies and life belt only to find a really good firm surface. I’m sure that didn’t just MAR 3 CARLISLE CARLISLE Oswestry 2 CREWE & N‘TWCH happen by accident so someone at Leigh must have put in a lot of work to help improve the situation. 10 Vale of Lune ALDWINIANS CREWE & NA’WICH Buxton 2 17 ACTON NOMADS 2 I was heartened by a sterling performance from the Wolves. They played with the strong wind in the 24 LIVERPOOL ST. H Birkenhead Pk Acton Nomads 1 Congleton 2 first period but only had a 2 point lead at half time and us old codgers on the touch ( especially those 31 Wirral WIRRAL NORTHWICH who saw the Wigton game) spread gloom and doom over whether they could hold out! But they did! APR 7 Tackling like demons and attacking strongly, they managed to stop Leigh scoring and with the aid of 14 WIGTON Kendal Trafford MV LYMM 21 Broughton Pk TRAFFORD MV WHITCHURCH Stoockport 5 Bob MacCallum’s boot increased the lead, even shoving the Leigh pack all over the place, much to their 28 surprise.

Junior Colts (U17s) Today we entertain Widnes. Prior to this season we have only played them 3 times, I think, in the Raging Bull Junior Colts League : Division A League in 07/08 and in a cup match. We seem to have missed each other as we both have gone up or down the divisions. Widnes have now got a vibrant community club where they are spending their SEP 4 Stockport L DEC 4 Wirral L MAR 4 LEAGUE CUP 1ST RD 11 PRESTON GH L 11 11 LEAGUE CUP 2ND RD money, like us , in improving the infrastructure and developing the many quality juniors they have 18 Sandbach L 18 ALTRINCHAM KERSAL 18 LEAGUE CUP 3RD RD coming through. This is showing in their results. My little story on Widnes is that I once touch judged 25 Macclesfield W 25 25 CHESHIRE CUP 3RD RD at Widnes a match between Widnes Junior RL boys and Burnage RU Colts – it is a long story!!!

OCT 2 WIRRAL L JAN 8 Caldy APR 1 LEAGUE CUP 4TH RD 9 Altrincham Kersal W 15 BROUGHTON PARK 8 For me this season Widnes, along with Sandbach, have been the best sides I have seen and their league 16 CALDY W 22 Lymm 15 LEAGUE CUP 5TH RD positions reflect that. We certainly suffered at Widnes last October. I expect another hard match today 23 Broughton Park WOL 29 22 LEAGUE CUP 6TH RD 30 Lymm D 29 LEAGUE CUP FINALS but if we play with the commitment and style of the last 2 games, it will be very interesting!

NOV 6 Preston GH L FEB 5 CHESHIRE CUP 2ND RD MAY 6 CHESHIRE CUP FINAL 13 SANDBACH W 12 STOCKPORT 13 COCK-O-THE-NORTH As you can see the Wolves are currently 9th in the League but I do feel that they are now showing the 20 MACCLESFIELD W 19 FINALS potential to end the season a little higher. The excitement is also building with our other senior teams. 27 WIRRAL (CC 1ST RD) W 26 The Vikings are equal first in their league after a run of 10 very emphatic wins; the 3rds are at the top with a game in hand after a thumping win at Old Bedians and the Ravens are 3rd behind Macclesfield : http://www.rfu.com : httpe://www.rugbyroundup.com 4ths and Buxton 2nds., all showing how healthy senior rugby is at Wilmslow. The plaudits must go to NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD INTERMEDIATE LEAGUES : http://www.rfu.com : http://www.nowirul.org.uk COLTS : http://www.rfu.com : http://www.colts-rugby.org.uk the coaches, team managers and captains in maintaining enthusiasm, fitness and quality through all the teams. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Hon. President Wolves Captain Wilmslow RUFC Jon Hitch Dan Wright Kings Road Immediate Past President Vice Captain Wilmslow David Barker Bob MacCallum SK9 5PZ Hon. Club Chairman Director of Rugby Dave Scanlon Daz Lucas Tel : 01625 522274 Hon. Secretary Club Coach Barry Fisher Giles Heagerty Hon. Treasurer Vikings Captain Tony Kersh Oliver Mooney Hawks Captain Club Website Matt Tucker www pitchero.com/clubs/wilmslow Ravens Captain Jim Senior

Magazine Editor and Club Press Officer : David Pike Tel : 01625 525616 : 07886 588524 : [email protected]

Wilmslow RUFC is an SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS 2011-12 open community based club, offering a ACF : Alan Lang : All U Need game to anyone Allied Corporate Finance coming through the Barrington Sports gates from the age of Beauchamp Charles : Bengal Tiger Lily six upwards - with no Byrom plc : Chapel Interiors upper age limit. Chelsea Flowers : easyfish : FGP Gascoigne Halman : gas-elec Nevertheless, Gemma Jones Photography : Glaisyers subscriptions and bar Gusto Alderley Edge : KPMD Group receipts are just not Lee Floorstok : Loch Fyne Restaurants : sufficient to maintain Lymm Truckwash : Maxwells of Wilmslow the wonderful sports Michael J Chapman field we have here. Morley Green Garden Centre : Motrax P J Design : Printerland.co.uk STYLISTS & BARBERS We, therefore, Royles Jaguar : S C & P Jones FOR GENTLEMEN AND STIG’Shop acknowledge and Slater Heelis : Stationery Solutions (YOUNG) WOLVES thank all those Stigs Barbers Shop : TD Travel Options individuals and The Farmers Arms : The Horse and Jockey organisations, who The Lighting and Interiors Group

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Tuesday to Friday sponsorship, Wheatsheaf Press : Wilmslow IT 9.00am to 6.00pm. advertising or Wilmslow Chiropractic Clinic Saturday donation. Without Wilmslow Electrical : Wilmslow Glass them we just would 8.00am to 3.30pm . not be here.

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Paul Sheridon Wishes the Wolves Contact : Tony Kersh PO Box 595 every success in Macclesfield 2011-12 SK10 9HF Telephone : 01625 500090 The distance between Heywood Road in Sale and 10th. December Grove Park in Cheadle Hulme may only be about Seven tries, four of the from Lewis McKay, ten miles and fifteen minutes on the motorway but were enough to see off Rossendale back on 10th. December by 44-7. What stood the difference between the two clubs, who were University of Salford Leagues : Div 1 out was the number of players, realistically once both at the top of the echelon couldn’t now contending for a first team place in the side. be greater. Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adj Hugo Corbett, back after a mandatory lay Birkenhead Park Wanderers 15 13 0 2 610 215 395 54 0 off following his clash at LSH, Ben Jones, Lewis McKay, Aaron Loftus and probably Theoretically the race for promotion to this league from It’s pleasing to report that we must be doing something Wilmslow Vikings 15 13 0 2 427 173 254 54 0 SLC1 is still on but Sale ‘Amateurs’ have so far right as we’ve received in the last fortnight two others have all featured on the Wolves and Macclesfield 3rd 15 10 0 5 460 315 145 45 0 accumulated the maximum available 75 league points unsolicited enquiries about sponsorship opportunities it probably won’t be long before players like Waterloo 2nd 16 7 1 8 324 307 17 38 0 Adam Hewitt and Angus Crawford make from fifteen matches with a points difference of 686, with the club and are just about to complete another their debut. Carlisle Crusaders 16 7 0 9 266 411 -145 37 0 which is 319 more than the total points scored by sponsorship deal with a distinguished former player second placed New Brighton with 53 league points. By who wishes to help his old club. When we add up all Wirral 2nd 14 7 0 7 317 222 95 35 0 The Developmental’s fixture at Bowdon was my reckoning they will have the league won by 18th. the organisations and individuals who are helping us Aldwinians 2nd 15 6 2 7 301 350 -49 35 0 cancelled so players from both sides decamped to Wilmslow where the Ravens February with six matches still to play. How happy do with donations from £50 upwards, we are at between Kendal 2nd 15 6 1 8 345 368 -23 34 0 they feel with their resounding success I wonder? 70 and 80, including those that the players have were playing the same opposition. The Sandbach 2nd 15 5 2 8 303 347 -44 32 0 Ravens won this one by 42-5. Two first half brought in themselves as personal sponsors. Trafford MV 2nd 15 5 1 9 227 344 -117 31 0 tries from Martin Hill and two from Levi If you visit www.rugbyroundup.com, you will also find Hertmann got the Ravens off to a good that none of the other clubs in this league are Of course, it’s too soon to say what the outcome of our Rossendale 2nd 14 5 1 8 193 415 -222 30 0 start. Bowdon rang the changes at half bothering to upload any statistics whatsoever, hence discussions with the two new enquirers will be but both Stockport 3rd 13 5 1 7 240 256 -16 29 0 time but two more Raven tries followed the top points scorers are all listed as being Sale are businesses who wish to be associated with a local Leigh 2nd 14 5 0 9 249 339 -90 29 0 from Gaz Jones and Hertmann, completing his hat trick. players. Strange! sports club. Our regular presence on the back page of Preston Grasshoppers 3rd 12 3 1 8 167 367 -200 22 0 The Wilmslow Express initially drew their attention to 17th. December In contrast, Manchester have still not won a game in us and our image was then reinforced by our current University of Salford Leagues : Division 4 South Most rugby was cancelled on the 17th. but National 3 Midlands. They have accumulated precisely web site. Finally a quick visit to look at the current fortunately the Jim Evison Field was one league point for losing by only seven points state of our ground added to a positive impression. Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adj playable despite a crusty topping of snow against Hinckley, who thus have the distinction of Wilmslow Developmentals 14 13 1 0 549 157 392 54 0 and freezing conditions so both the Vikings being the only club in the last three seasons to have It seems to me clear evidence that the combination of Trafford MV 3rd 15 12 0 3 534 279 255 51 0 and developmentals were able to play their conceded a league point to Manchester. After fifteen success on the field, a clear idea of what we’re about home fixtures against Waterloo and Heaton Oswestry 2nd 16 11 1 4 419 325 94 50 0 Moor respectively. Two home wins duly games, the Manchester points difference is –662, and where we want to go, our exposure in the local Heaton Moor 2nd 15 10 1 4 534 214 320 42 -4 followed to send both teams to the top, which is 561 more than they have so far scored. press, the web site, the magazine, the revamped equal on points, of USL1 and USL4S. clubhouse and facilities are all playing a part in Acton Nomads 15 8 0 7 379 283 96 39 0 If they had elected three years ago to start again at the projecting the kind of image of the club which outsiders Bowdon 3rd 15 6 2 7 253 326 -73 35 0 For the Vikings, there were tries from Chris bottom in SLC4, they may now have been approaching find attractive. Northwich 3rd 15 6 0 9 254 347 -93 33 0 Lee, Jack Walmsley, Alex Taylor and Matt Jones (2) as they came from behind to SLC1 and I wage would now be feeling much happier Winnington Park 3rd 13 6 1 6 386 291 95 32 0 about themselves than they do now. Will they continue We all have a part which we can play. Not least when eventually overcome a spirited Waterloo Crewe and Nantwich 3rd 15 5 2 8 225 319 -94 32 0 side by 33-15. their downward journey next season in our league or team captains and junior coaches make a posting on Northwich 4th 15 6 0 9 270 472 -202 32 0 elect to stay in the Midlands? the web site or contribute to this publication. It is being On the adjoining pitch, the Developmentals noticed positively by the outside world so let’s just keep Old Bedians 2nd 15 4 0 11 303 489 -186 26 0 saw off fourth placed Heaton Moor with Make of it what you will but it does seem to me to be a it up. Didsbury Toc H 3rd 13 4 0 9 188 371 -183 25 0 three tries and three penalties to win sad reflection of what has happened to two formerly Knutsford 2nd 14 4 0 10 261 513 -252 24 0 comfortably by 28-0. highly respected clubs. Whitchurch 3rd 14 3 0 11 279 448 -169 23 0 7th. January This was the 8th. clean sweep of the University of Salford Leagues : Division 5 South season for our USL sides, leaving them top, joint top and third in their respective Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adj leagues. Only six of 43 matches so far played have been lost. All three of the Buxton 2nd XV 13 12 0 1 371 115 256 49 0 sides are in with a chance of promotion.

Macclesfield 4th XV 14 11 0 3 661 159 502 47 0 The Vikings won 44-13 against Leigh; the Wilmslow 4th XV 14 10 0 4 402 192 210 44 0 Developmentals scored 64 against Old Heaton Moor 3rd XV 14 10 0 4 418 282 136 44 0 Bedians, scoring so many tries that Matt Hamilton could only remember the three Lymm 4th XV 13 10 0 3 567 139 428 37 -6 tries from 48 year old Gareth Jaques, two Didsbury Toc H 4th XV 13 6 0 7 352 219 133 33 3 from 17 year old Lewis Staples and one Holmes Chapel 2nd XV 14 6 0 8 398 325 73 31 0 each from Nick Marsh, Fraser Sinclair and Joel Williamson. With John Shaw Congleton 2nd XV 12 6 0 6 274 332 -58 29 0 converting all but three tries, that means Crewe and Nantwich 4th XV 12 6 0 6 215 348 -133 29 0 there will be another two try scorers whose Ashton-on-Mersey 3rd XV 13 4 0 9 194 516 -322 25 0 names are lost in the mists of time. And finally the Ravens won 17-10 against Acton Nomads 2nd XV 13 3 0 10 225 584 -359 22 0 Didsbury TH thanks to tries from Conor Bowdon 4th XV 14 1 0 13 89 583 -494 16 0 McMurdoch, Paul Thompson and the Stockport 5th XV 13 1 0 12 114 486 -372 15 0 legendary Huw Taffy Williams., who ran through the whole Didsbury defence from fully forty yards Wolves Appearances and Point

Scorers : 2011 - 12

Brian Moore’s Telegraph column a fortnight ago may ‘Amateurs’, as they were once briefly known as, and

or may not succeed in getting the payments issue at possibly Stockport with their huge reserves are the

our level of the game on to the RFU agenda. The only exceptions that I can think of. For the rest of us,

case he makes for banning payments outside the subscriptions and bar receipts aren’t sufficient to

Conversions

Appearances Tries Drop Goald Penalties highest levels will undoubtedly gather a great deal of cover the cost of running a successful club. The Points support around the country from clubs such as ours shortfall has to be made up from other sources. Rory Bell 2 1 5 but there will also regrettably be a significant number, Mike Black 10 2 10 who will take the view that it’s not the RFU’s business The simple truth is that rugby alone does not pay for to try to regulate on this matter. If a ban cannot be itself. It doesn’t even pay when you nurture a boy 2 Nigel Burge-Jones effectively policed, then it would probably become a from the age of six, all the way through your minis, Ricky Chadwick 13 1 1 2 12 case of the cure for the condition being worse than juniors and colts, into his school and/or county side Dominic Clancy 2 the condition itself. and into a premiership club academy. If he eventually makes it into a premiership or championship club side Mike Clifford 12 1 5 Simply requiring clubs to submit their books to the what do you think we get for fifteen years of effort. I Craig Cooper 14 2 10 HMRC is not the solution. The sort of payments shan’t say because I don’t wish to offend readers in involved of up to £150 per week are below the what has evolved into a family rugby magazine. Hugo Corbett 11 2 10 threshold at which any tax or NICS are liable and Sam Cutts 4 anyway HMRC is only concerned that returns are At this club, the funding burden is shared with properly completed and the tax due is paid. They Wilmslow Running Club and we are fortunate to have Ben Day 11 4 20 couldn’t care less about any RFU regulation there a major benefactor, The Wilmslow Half Marathon, Alex Donaldson 14 2 10 may or may not be and they certainly wouldn’t reveal without whom none of the recent ground and the contents of a club’s tax return to the RFU. Nor do clubhouse improvements could have taken place. It Chris Findlow 13 1 5 payments have to go through a club’s books anyway is entirely due to their generosity that the revamped James Keys 10 1 5 if they are hidden by direct payments from a clubhouse now attracts so many profit making private benefactor or sponsor to the player concerned or are functions. In addition, we also have around eighty Matthew King 12 4 20 simply made in an unmarked brown envelope local sponsoring organisations contributing varying containing the folding stuff. amounts from £50 upwards, which help to fund kit, Chris Lee 10 team travel, physios, maintenance and so on. In Stuart Lindsay 4 If you ask anybody in this league whether their return they receive magazine advertising, ground players are paid, the answer will nine times out of ten perimeter advertising, kit advertising, links to Mark Lister 2 be ‘No’. individual players and anything else we can think of.

Aaron Loftus 9 If you ask whether players receive any expenses for There are two points arising from the foregoing. FINE BENGALI & Ben Jones 4 travelling, subsistence or loss of earnings (ie. broken Firstly the whole subject of player payments is riddled time payments, now where have we heard that with inconsistencies and is just as impossible to INDIAN CUISINE Bob MacCallum 12 2 1 20 19 111 before!) then the answer could be quite different. control as ‘boot money’ was years ago and secondly, Liam McCrea 1 HMRC allows an individual to claim up to 45p per mile without benefactors, sponsors and other non rugby for business use of a private vehicle without incurring related activities most clubs would be hugely Restaurant and Lewis McKay 7 1 5 any tax or NICS liability. If you have a round trip of diminished to the game’s overall disadvantage. say twenty miles three times a week to attend training Take Away Menus Ross Mitchell 7 and to play on Saturday and your club then throws in Fortunately the path that this club has taken in Dan Partington 7 a bit of subsistence, you easily pass £50 per week, resolutely resisting the temptation to pay for anything Congleton Rd. which is quite legitimately tax free. other than some modest travelling expenses, player’s Tom Raynor 10 6 30 Nether Alderley kit, coaching and physio does appear for now to be Sam Rodman 12 3 15 There are also travelling costs, for example, that a the right one. The numbers playing adult rugby here SK10 4TD club may reimburse to students, who have come all are as high as they’ve been for nearly thirty years; R Spencer 1 the way through its mini and junior section, to enable results have never been better, colts, juniors and Sean Street 4 them to continue playing at the club at which they minis all flourish, our ground and clubhouse facilities Tel 01625 890379/890560 grew up. How much of all this would or should be are at least the equal of any; there are nearly enough H Stott 3 considered as ‘payment for play’? Broken time volunteers to carry out all the necessary tasks; and Gareth Tait 8 2 10 payments, yes, but the rest………….. the club is solvent. www.bengaltigerlily.com [email protected] Andy Walker 11 1 3 3 20 We now stray into the area of club finance as a whole. Long may this continue. It is a fact that very few clubs can balance their books Jack Walmsley 14 without the continual support of benefactors, sponsors Dan Wright 12 2 10 and/or other non rugby related activities. Sale Saturday 10th. December 2011 North 1 West Wilmslow 29 – 11 Northwich The previous weekend’s results had propelled Northwich back into the mix at the top of the league and left Wilmslow, if not actually in the relegation zone, too close to it for comfort. A lot was therefore at stake for the old rivals.

Unfortunately for Northwich, they had arrived at the Memorial Ground without a handful of their first choice players all confined to the treatment room. It was going to be a day when their reserves, most of them called up from their second team playing their rugby in Division 2 of the University of Salford League, would have to show their mettle. On this showing though, Northwich don’t seem to possess the strength in depth that will be needed to win an eight month long league campaign.

In contrast, Wilmslow coach, Giles Heagerty, was able to select his team from a nearly full hand and he also knew that his second string was still scattering all before it in USL 1. Northwich were missing their two first choice props and consequently their scrum spent the afternoon being shoved around by firstly Chris Findlow and Jack Walmsley and then Sam Rodman, when he made an appearance in the second half. Meanwhile, the fourth prop of the current Wilmslow quartet, Lewis McKay, was cavorting around on the second team, helping himself to four tries before half time. Second row, Gareth Tait, has added a needed bit of abrasive power to the pack in recent weeks but when Heagerty decided to freshen up his resources in the second half, he was able to replace Tait with Dan Partington, himself no mean performer. In the second team were Aaron Loftus, Ben Jones and several others who can be called up without disrupting the side. There may be no stand out stars in this year’s Wolves outfit but there are plenty of young players with potential if Heagerty and his coaching team can get them to do what he knows they’re capable of.

Heagerty wasn’t at all pleased at the way the Wolves started this game. For twenty minutes or so, Northwich looked the title chasing side they’re supposed to be. The Wolves had to defend deeply, inevitably conceding a penalty kicked by Northwich No. 10, Grant Hallam, after fifteen minutes and then moments later a try out on the right when Joel Barber, in the centre today, skated through a non existent defence. Wilmslow were then a bit fortunate when a Northwich player was ruled off side intercepting a very flat Andy Walker pass, allowing Bob MacCallum to land a penalty, which was immediately cancelled out when a muddle at the base of the Wilmslow scrum allowed Northwich to steal the ball in the Wolves twenty two. Back row Sam Naylor and No. 8 Graham Robinson both drove hard for the Wilmslow line, scrum half Mike Gallimore spun the ball right and when the winger Tom Bradfield was held up, referee Matt Coultas awarded Northwich a penalty right under the Wilmslow posts.

That was the cue though for the Wolves to awake from their slumber. Northwich were then pressurised into making an error at the restart, which signalled over twenty minutes of copy book stuff from the Wolves. From the scrum, clean ball was passed quickly along the line to full back, Ben Day, intruding the line at pace. There was no stopping him. MacCallum converted and five minutes later he put a penalty into touch on the Northwich twenty two. The Wolves lineout functioned like clockwork, driving to within five metres of the line, before Walker moved the ball left for the backs to release left winger Tom Raynor for the second Wolves try. Tails up now, another lineout was forced deep in Northwich territory. The throw was ruled to be squint but the resulting Northwich scrum was destroyed by an almighty heave. Walker with his quick accurate pass got MacCallum and his centres going and Matthew King came in off his wing for the third Wolves try. A fourth soon followed after half time, when an attacking lineout was held up, Walker passed and the midfield released King who was held up but from the ruck two quick off loads from Walker to MacCallum to Mike Black saw the open side flanker stroll in under the posts. All four tries had come from straight off the training pitch explained Heagerty afterwards and had been executed at pace.

The next twenty minutes or so were spent in or around the Wolves twenty two but it was always going to be a hard call for Northwich, 29 -11 in arrears and away from home. Both sides saw plenty of the ball but the Wolves couldn’t get out of defence and MacCallum couldn’t find the empty spaces with his clearing kicks. Northwich spurned a couple of kickable penalties to go for the try that they desperately needed but the Wolves defence was disciplined, consistently coming up in a line and forcing the visitors into too many errors. The visitor’s scrum was always on the back foot and Mike Clifford nicked a few balls for the Wolves in the lineout. Eventually, the Wolves got a clearing penalty and then another when the referee took offence at something said to him and ten minutes time was now played out at the Northwich end. Wolves skipper Dan Wright was happy to keep play there, opting for two attacking scrums when MacCallum would probably have kicked the goal. A final foray from Grant Hallam got Northwich on the front foot again but when the ball was bundled into touch, the referee brought proceedings to a close.

A decent sized crowd had seen an enjoyable game, four cracking tries from the Wolves and a thoroughly deserved win. Even the Northwich supporters graciously conceded that the better side on the day had got its just reward. Only Giles Heagerty was less than delighted with the Wolves start and profligacy at the end but ‘when we played, he said, we showed that no one in this league can live with us’. I suspect that deep down he wasn’t too unhappy but he’ll have spent much of the next week scheming to work out how the Wolves could secure that elusive away win on their visit to Anselmians in the Wirral. REHAU NATIONAL INSTALLER OF THE YEAR - 2010

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REPAIR THE AREA’S LEADING INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENCY SPECIALISTS Wishing Wilmslow Rugby Club A Successful 2011 —12 Season

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THE VET’S PLACE CHESTNUT HOUSE UPCAST LANE WILMSLOW SK9 6EH TEL 0625 585500 WWW.THEVETSPLACE.COM Welcome back to Pownell Park after the Christmas break and a happy new year to you all.

Last week saw us win our first away match of the season. Whilst our away form has been something of a concern, it is not something I have been obsessing over. Still, it was a nice feeling to get the monkey off our backs and the reaction of the players at FANTASY WORLD CUP FINAL : NEW ZEALAND V FRANCE the end of the game showed just how much it meant to them. CHEERS : TEAM SELECTION : SALUT

NEW ZEALAND FRANCE

15 Kaituna Hills 2010 15 Gigondas 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Cinsault/Grenache/Syrah M. Chapoutier Rhone Perhaps of greater significance was the manner in which we won, showing a level of pragmatism Marks & Spencer Tesco and maturity I have not seen before in my time at Wilmslow. It was not the most polished 14 Jackson Estate 'Stich' 14 Croze Hermitage 2008 performance by any stretch but it showed an appreciation of the game plan and the players' ability Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough Syrah Rhone to adjust to the circumstances they faced. Without getting ahead of myself, it would appear that the Waitrose Tesco things we have worked on this season have started to pay off. 13 Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV 13 Bollinger Special Cuveé NV Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine Champagne Marlborough Portland Wines It may seem odd but I am already looking towards next season in our preparations and recruitment. Waitrose This is a lengthy process and the longer I do it the more I find the first question to be "what is the 12 Sherwood Estate 12 Carte Noire Rose match fee"? It was with great interest then that I read Brian Moore's column in Tuesday's Stoney Range Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Cinsault/Grenache Provence Telegraph on the impact of wages in the 'amateur' game and the need for the RFU to take measures Marlborough Portland Wines to regulate payments at our level and below. One need not look too far down the road to see the Marks & Spencer damage that mismanaged finances can do to a rugby club. Perhaps the most startling point in 11 Earth's End 11 Château Gasquerie Pinot Noir 2008 Otago Merlot/Cabernet Franc Côtes de Castillon Moore's column was that of the figures: payment of £50 a week to 30 players over the course of a Marks & Spencer Portland Wines season will cost a club £36,000 before a single ball has been passed! Frightening. 10 Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2007 10 Louis Roederer Cristal 2004 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Champagne Does this mean that I believe there should be no payment in our league? I think that money should Portland Wines Tesco be spent on infrastructure and the development 9 The Ned Black Label Waihopai River 9 Bouchard Aîné et Fils 2009 of junior rugby in clubs. However, the reality Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough Bourgogne Rouge facing us all is that unless the RFU does get a Majestic Waitrose grip of what is happening then I fear we will 1 Oyster Bay Merlot 2010 1 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2004 Hawkes Bay Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux all need to reach into our pockets to remain Waitrose Waitrose competitive. 2 St Clair Estate Selection 2010/2011 2 Champteloup 2010 Pinot Noir Marlborough Rosé d'Anjou Loire Today we welcome Widnes, one of the new Majestic Waitrose boys in the league this year and a side that are 3 Te Mata Woodthorpe Vineyard 2009/10 3 Invitare Condrieu 2008 sitting high up in the table - higher than I Chardonnay Hawkes Bay Viognier M Chapoutier Rhone Majestic Majestic Wines suspect they dared to dream when they were first promoted. Those of you who witnessed 4 Gimblett Gravels Syrah, Trinity Hill 2007 4 Belleruche 2009/2010 Hawkes Bay Côtes-du-Rhône M.Chapoutier Rhone our somewhat abject showing at their place in Tesco Majestic September will know they bring an exciting 5 Pask Declaration Cabernet 5 Château Lacoste Borie 2007 back three as well as some powerful runners in Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon North Pauillac their forwards, so we face something of a Island Portland Wines Majestic challenge. 6 Mud House 6 Chateau Blomac 2008 Riesling Waipara Minervois Portland Wines Marks & Spencer Are we up to it? I believe we are. Confidence is a powerful thing, and when combined with 7 Kim Crawford Spitfire SP 2010 7 Chateau Roquefort Grand Cru 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough St. Emilion the hard work the boys have been putting in of Tesco Marks & Spencer

late we have a strong foundation on which to 8 Escarpment Kupe 2008 8 Domaine de la Curniere 2009 build. Enjoy today's game, it is sure to be a Chardonnay Marlborough Vacqueras thriller. Tesco Marks & Spencer

A Warm Welcome Awaits You From Emma and Daryl at Week 16 January 7th The form book went out of the window as the Xmas pudding sat rather too well on the stomachs of several of the top sides but Sandbach made no mistake to go 14 points clear after both LSH & THE HORSE Widnes lost. Behind Sandbach there is just 4 points covering Widnes, LSH, Northwich and Vale of Lune in the struggle for the second promotion spot. & JOCKEY Gravel Lane Widnes 5-12 Northwich. Second place at home to fourth place but the visitors came out on top to record a double against the high flying Widnes outfit. Northwich 1st team captain Sam Naylor took the honours with a big match that saw his side home in a tight game won by two tries to one. It was indeed ‘A Real Gem of a Pub’ Naylor who took a splendid pass from the returning Cass Wilding to run in an early score that Grant Hallum converted. Widnes responded into first half injury time when Pieu Lika went over for an Cask Ales : Pool Table : Monday & Thursday Quiz Nights : Live Football unconverted try. 5-7 at half way with the Widnes pack gaining control but the Northwich backs looking ever dangerous. After 68 minutes the Northwich captain Naylor playing in the number 6 shirt, took another defence splitting pass and scored well wide out. Intelligent forward play by the visitors kept the ball away from the home side as they ran the clock down for a good win. This result, plus the news from The Official Studs the Carlisle/LSH game throws open the race for the second promotion place. Wilmslow Rugby Club Shop Shorts

Gloves Carlisle 23-18 Liverpool St Helens. A great win for Carlisle who have now opened up a 9 point gap over their rivals in the basement spots and the Cumbrians look now to consolidate their league position in Open Polo Shirts mid table after starting the campaign somewhat sluggishly. For LSH this was not the start to the new year Saturdays Replica Kit that they were looking for and a single losing bonus point was poor consolation in a match where they 1.30pm 5.00pm Headguards were competitive throughout. Reports suggest that the admirable kicking by Carlisle's Weightman who Sundays Training Tops was 100% on a squally day, settled the outcome. Well matched packs but LSH had a Cunliffe missing and 10.30am - 1.30pm Shoulder Pads two other unavailable from their usual squad. 3 tries to LSH against 2 from Carlisle with Earl, and a Club Ties and Shirts penalty try for Carlisle and Ian Stanley crossing plus a brace from Dave Westhead for LSH.

Sandbach 32-10 Wigton A good win for our leaders against a young Cumbrian side that always give a good account of themselves. Sandbach were 13-3 ahead at the break after 2 tries from Leech and a Cargill penalty. Wigton contributed a Hanabury penalty. Second half tries from Sandbachs Murray, prop Gareth Caen and a third from Leech Club and Ground Hire at The Memorial Ground sealed the victory but Wigton with a Rob Mars try and Hanabury conversion had the last word. As Sandbach go 14 points clear at the top their camp were not commenting upon promotion. Rumour has it We can help you to organise…………

MOTRAX MOTOR ACCESSORIES 88 CHAPEL LANE T 01625 522551 Children’s Parties : Corporate Events : Business Meetings Wedding Receptions : Special Occasions OILS  BATTERIES  PAINTS  NUMBER PLATES  TOWBARS  TOOLS  CYCLE Function Rooms and Playing Fields ACCESSORIES MAINTENANCE, REPAIR Fully Licensed with optional bar extensions : Catering AND VALETING PRODUCTS BBQ Equipment : Car Park : Audio and Visual Facilities Large TV Screen : 1000 Watt PA and Lighting WHY PAY MORE AT A DEALER OR SUPERSTORE WHEN THERE IS CONTACT : KEITH BOOTH UNBEATABLE SERVICE, QUALITY TEL 01625 522274 AND VALUE AT MOTRAX! that they now have an impressive back-room team that extends past the usual physio and coach into fitness trainers, specialist moves coordinators, backs and forwards coaches, phsychological advisors, and possibly hair grooming coaches as well. They are absolute certainties for higher things now and their attention to detail is exemplary.

Aspatria 8-0 Broughton Park Two wins for Cumbria in a week-end as Aspatria got the better of a Broughton Park side that seldom fail to score a point on a Saturday. This match could well have produced a lot more points for the home team as their forwards dominated play particularly in the second half. As it was a long range Jack Clegg penalty Just identify yourself as a Wilmslow was all that they had to show after 40 minutes. Immediately after the restart however a charge down by Rugby Club member by producing Aspatrias Brown was capitalised upon by lock Mark Bowe who trotted over in the corner. Aspatria either your valid 2011 - 12 forwards were held up over the line three times and knocked on with the line begging on a further membership handbook at the occasion but the scoreboard was stalled and 8-0 remained the status at the end. following retail outlets or the participating retailer’s card to Broughton Park are a splendid old amateur club with great traditions and a fantastic set up at Hough End but they suffer from being located rather too close to other Manchester teams whose Corinthian receive substantial discounts off credentials are less well defined. Consequently they lose players nowadays whereas in the past they would listed prices. attract them. (Nuff said Guv).

Chelsea Flowers Vale of Lune 58-31 Anselmians Chapel Lane, Wilmslow 89 points scored on the open fields of Lancaster is a familiar tale. As is the norm Vale scored most of (shop sales only) them and it really makes for good spectator appreciation on cold mid-Winter Saturdays. 13 tries in all with two more locks getting a brace each in Acton and Wallbank for the homesters with James Hesketh, Stationery Solutions Hodder MacCluskie and Carter all crossing for Vale. Anselmians ran in 5 tries of their own with Matt Chapel Lane, Wilmslow Pennington getting a couple from the wing and Mafi, Haunga and McDonagh also getting in on the act. (excluding print cartridges) Simon Mason's boot was once again effective in converting 3 of those scores. Vale are suddenly back in the mix as results elsewhere went their way. Their defensive game might need sharpening up but they are Chapel Interiors good value going forward. Chapel Lane, Wilmslow Rochdale 10-15 Wirral Loch Fyne Restaurant A good away win for the Wirral lads on a gusty Rochdale afternoon. Two years ago there was two leagues Brook Lane, Alderley Edge between these two clubs and the Wirral faithful will have delighted in this away win against a very mobile (a la carte menu only) Rochdale outfit. Wirral won via tries from Rob Pearl and Joe Murray but Craig Harvey had a top game. A penalty and a conversion go against Harvey's name but he was also around the park to great effect and it Gusto was his passes that put his colleagues "into those holes" in the defence. After a couple of seasons London Road, Alderley Edge consolidation at this level Wirral look good enough to challenge for honours going forward. Rochdale are (see their advertisement to apply for regrouping after relegation but their fast backs will always keep them from falling further one feels. a Gusto sponsorship card. Prior bookings advised) Leigh 5-13 Wilmslow Not the expected result from Leigh who were off their game on the day although they started well enough

with a try from hooker Peter Ince. That turned out to be their lone score as Wilmslow took their chances Bengal Tiger Lily Indian Cuisine well and their set piece worked admirably. The Ince try was responded to immediately as the Wilmslow No Congleton Rd., Nether Alderley 8 Dan Wright bullocked through for a converted try thanks to MacCallum. MacCallum added two further (restaurant menu only) penalties for the visitors to complete the scoring.

S C & P Jones Good fixtures this week-end with Widnes at Wilmslow, LSH hosting VOL and Wirral at home to 91-102 Chapel Lane, Wilmslow improving Carlisle. Anselmians at home to Leigh should be a cracker while Wigton might overcome visitors Rochdale who have a poor away record. Northwich should beat Aspatria and leaders Sandbach Morley Garden Centre should win at Broughton Park. Altrincham Rd., Wilmslow

Motrax Motor Accessories Chapel Lane, Wilmslow SIX NATIONS 2012

4th. February France v Italy Stade de France 2.30pm

Scotland v Murrayfield 5.00pm

5th. Fenruary AMLIN CHALLENGE Ireland v Wales Aviva Stadium 3.00pm CUP 11th. February Italy v England Stadio Olimpico 4.00pm 19th. January France v Ireland Stade de France 8.00pm Edgeley Park 12th. February 7.45pm Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium 3.00pm

25th. February BRIVE Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium 1.30pm

England v Wales LV CUP Twickenham 4.00pm

26th. February Scotland v France 4th. February Murrayfield 3.00pm

10th. March Edgeley Park Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium 2.30pm 7.30pm Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium 5.00pm

SCARLETS 11th. March France v England Stade de France 3.00pm

17th. March Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico 12.30pm

Wales v France Millennium Stadium 2.45pm

England v Ireland Twickenham 5.00pm

League North 1 West WIDNES 2011 – 12 Back on a blazing hot afternoon last October, the Wolves had coughed up the ball with alarming regularity to concede four second half tries to newly Team P W D L F A Diff B Pts Pts Adj TODAY’S OTHER promoted Widnes. Ricky Chadwick had scored after about thirty seconds Sandbach 15 14 0 1 471 206 265 9 65 0 MATCHES for the Wolves but it was all one way traffic after that. Completely against the run of play, the Wolves had led 7-3 at half time but when Andy Riley Widnes 15 10 0 5 374 274 100 11 51 0 cut inside for the first Widnes try just after the break, the wheels fell off Anselmians v Leigh Liverpool St Helens 15 10 0 5 373 256 117 9 49 0 the Wolves chariot big time.

Northwich 15 10 0 5 336 258 78 8 48 0 Broughton Park v Up to that point it had been reported that Widnes were making a promising start to life in N1W and looked equipped to Sandbach keep their place in this league after taking the previous season’s runners up spot in SLC1 and winning their play off. Vale of Lune 16 9 1 6 530 400 130 9 47 0 Nobody though expected them to be in the N1W play off position come the first week of January and nor for that matter

Wirral 15 8 0 7 336 331 5 6 38 0 did anyone expect Sandbach to be clear at the top, nearly out of sight. Clear evidence of how much or more precisely Liverpool St. how little we all know. Leigh 14 7 0 7 320 275 45 10 38 0 Helens v Vale of Lune They arrive at The Memorial Ground for the first time since March 2008 with ten wins from fifteen games. The Broughton Park 15 7 0 8 289 289 0 7 35 0 evergreen Kevin Leadbetter is second in this season’s points scorers table and winger Matty Smith has chalked up eleven

Wilmslow 15 7 0 8 287 291 -4 6 34 0 tries. Last week end though they re-started the season with a surprise home loss by 12-5 against a rejuvenated Northwich v Northwich for whom Sam Naylor scored twice. By all accounts, it was a dour January game without many highlights. Rochdale 15 5 1 9 283 289 -6 12 34 0 Aspatria Widnes were unable or not allowed to play their normal free flowing game and several chances went awry, allowing a gritty Northwich side to grab the points with a Carlisle 16 7 0 9 250 405 -155 3 31 0 Wigton v Rochdale much improved performance from the mauling Anselmians 15 4 1 10 279 452 -173 4 22 0 they got here before Christmas.

Wigton 15 3 0 12 254 395 -141 8 20 0 Wirral v Carlisle Wilmslow meanwhile have improved enormously since that low fortnight in September and Aspatria 16 3 1 12 262 523 -261 4 18 0 October, when they shipped forty five points against Leigh and thirty seven against Widnes in League Results—2011/2012 successive weeks. Their defence at Leigh last weekend gave absolutely nothing away and in HOME recent weeks they seem to have learnt how to TEAMS hang onto the ball. Altogether, when they play within their capabilities rather than trying to play

like South Sea Islanders, they have started to

look and play like an outfit that is comfortable

with itself. Broughton Pk NorthwichRochdale Sandbach Widnes Wirral Anselmians Aspatria Carlisle Leigh Liverpool SH Vale of Lune Wigton Wilmslow The Wolves would today gladly settle for the Anselmians 25-17 45-14 0-17 43-30 39-17 17-36 same 53-29 score line of March 2008. Ben Day scored three tries, Charlie Levings two, Stephen Aspatria 14-14 22-28 29-40 16-28 20-18 10-40 12-29 17-15 Beard coming on as a late substitute got Broughton Park 52-3 17-13 27-28 3-0 27-20 17-20 29-25 the last two and there were also touch downs for Dan Hargreaves and Ed Dalton. Carlisle 25-10 24-12 23-18 11-28 7-44 20-13 17-0 13-14 Also playing that day were Chris Lee, Bob MacCallum and Mike Clifford. On the Leigh 32-7 28-24 12-32 6-10 29-23 29-13 5-13 Widnes side, only centre Andy Riley and Liverpool St. H 33-7 52-0 12-16 17-34 18-13 21-14 winger Kevin Leadbetter were still playing last weekend against Northwich. Northwich 38-15 50-0 13-12 9-15 22-17 36-10 27-19 Leadbetter had a good day here four years ago scoring two of their four tries Rochdale 29-13 29-16 31-11 25-15 8-9 32-38 20-20 28-10 10-15 and when they had pulled back from what at one stage looked like becoming a Sandbach 60-8 17-14 43-19 29-5 33-19 47-24 32-10 23-12 42-3 massacre to within ten points of the Vale of Lune 58-31 50-27 23-17 28-20 33-41 31-5 56-29 37-7 Wolves with plenty of time still on the clock, it had looked as though that there Widnes 60-19 37-25 5-12 12-7 34-21 37-7 8-15 could yet have been something in the game for them. Beard’s two late tries Wigton 30-7 26-12 19-24 15-16 24-44 21-23 25-28 17-7 though settled the matter and the Wolves Wilmslow 35-5 24-8 17-18 17-45 29-11 25-15 35-27 34-18 Where are they all now? Charlie Levings, Dan Hargreaves, Rick then went on to win SLC1 with something Williams, Alex McLennan, Andy Vassell and Tim Medwell all to spare. Wirral 70-29 22-33 20-19 17-15 24-33 28-11 playing for the Wolves against Widnes on 1st. March 2008.

I am hoping that we may be able to raise enough players to have a short trip to Dublin at the end of the season. I know that the wives and girlfriends are less compliant these days, but it is sad to think that the players have, so far, not enjoyed the delights of a tour.

I have very fond memories of all the tours I have been on, starting with a 1st team tour to Cornwall over the Easter weekend in 1967. This was the year the Torrey Canyon oil tanker broke up on the rocks and our hotel was packed with reporters and sightseers, plus a women’s hockey team from Kent.

I can, of course, say nothing about the ladies, but we had three hard games, against Penryn (L 24-19), Redruth (W 20-3) and Cambourne (W 17-0). We travelled down by coach on Good Friday and arrived in Penrhyn eight hours later. Despite that, we played really well and were deprived of a victory by the Cornish referee, who turned out to be the owner of the company which had just erected the club floodlights!

Our next tour was in Easter 1970 across the sea to Dublin. We left early on Good Friday morning, arriving at Jurys Hotel, Landsdowne Road around 9.30, had a quick training session in the local park and then set off for a drink or two. All the bars were closed. Little did we know that there was no public drinking on Holy Friday. Some of the guys went off to play golf and afterwards asked the professional where the bar was. He said that the bar was closed, but they heard a buzz of conversation and found a huge bar, throbbing with half the Dublin population.

Editors Note : The bar was almost certainly at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) showground in Ballsbridge. Their annual dog show was always held on Holy Friday and it was well known in drinking circles that the bar there would be the only one in the whole of Ireland to be officially open. You would never have guessed that so many Dubliners had such a powerful interest in dogs.

We played Clontarf (W 51-9), St. Mary’s (a side containing two current Irish Internationals) (L 8-11) and Bective Rangers (W 19-6).

In 1975, it was back to Cornwall, with games against Exeter (W 21-10), Penrhyn (another close defeat 3-6) and Plymouth Albion (W 14-3). As there were enough travellers to form a “Supporters” CHRISTMAS CARD RUGBY ON THE JIM EVISON FIELD side, Geoff Mitchell also arranged a game for us against Hayle. Sadly for us, they thought they were Vikings V Waterloo 17th. December 2011 playing our 1st XV and a huge crowd turned up to watch. As one would expect, we were heavily defeated, but put up a good show until half-time, when the excesses of the previous few days took their toll.

Another Editor’s Note : I can recall an Easter Tour to Cornwall around 1980 with West of Scotland. We set off at 7.30pm from Milngavie in a huge coach, the toilet facilities on board were overflowing and out of action before we had passed East Kilbride and the all night poker school ended only after we crossed the Tamar with at least two of the touring party having to borrow money from their team mates for the rest of the trip. We won at Redruth but lost at Penrhyn and Plymouth Albion.

Our Centenary year saw a full-scale tour to South Africa. There was trouble locally and letters protesting about our trip, as it was during the apartheid years and some people thought we were supporting the whites. We, well, I, was very naive and was surprised to find blacks and whites entering into the same shop, but from different doors, to be served at separate counters.

However, the trip was sanctioned by the ; we went and we had a marvellous couple of weeks being royally entertained by all the clubs we played. There is too little room for a detailed description of the tour, so I will save that for a later programme. Suffice it to say that it was the trip of a lifetime and, for me at least, a country well worth re-visiting.

Barry advises that the annual reunion lunch for gentlemen will take place on 4th. February. The visitors will be Sandbach and the match will be on the large WOLVES AT ROUND ASH PARK screen from 5.30pm. Please let Barry know if you are a gentleman and wish to attend! Leigh v Wilmslow 7th. January 2012 [email protected] or 0161 439 2972 Saturday 7th. January League North 1 West Chelsea Flowers Leigh 5 – 13 Wilmslow It was like the start of a new season as the four week break for Christmas and weather came to an end and for the 59 Chapel Lane hardy band of Wolves followers, who had gathered on the windy muddy Leigh touchline, the final result was just reward for their fortitude. At last. the Wolves had ended their drought away from home with a thoroughly deserved win. It had been ten months since they last won away from home during last season at West Park St. Helens.

On this occasion though, they showed a sense of purpose, maturity and patience to overcome a combative Leigh side, missing several of its key players. Coach Giles Heagerty afterwards hailed the Wolves most complete performance of ALAN LANG the season so far. ‘We knew the pitch would be wet and windy, what the Leigh tactics would be and how they would 4 LINDOW play so we had to match them with a relentless defence and in the prevailing conditions be pragmatic in our own play. It was never going to be a pretty game’ Throughout, the two sides played with totally different styles. Leigh picked PARADE and drove around the narrow fringes all afternoon where they were met by a resolute defence, which didn’t miss a CHAPEL LANE tackle from start to finish. Not once could they make a clean line break. In contrast, Wilmslow always sought to put some width on the ball to create space for their runners but to concentrate on delivering simple relatively short passes, which would go to hand. Surprisingly, neither side were able to consistently take advantage of a stiff westerly wind 100% British Produce John and Anita welcome you to which favoured the Wolves in the first half and Leigh in the second. Maybe Bob MacCallum’s boot had its moments in Tel 01625 52228 the opening forty minutes but generally the Leigh back three were able to field anything that came their way and to run from Cheshire, THE FARMERS ARMS Fax 01625 524440 it back. And when it was Leigh’s turn, neither of their half backs or anyone else put in the obvious kicks behind the Cumbria and the in Chapel Lane oncoming defence. www.chelseaflowers.com Largest choice of beers in Welsh Borders Wilmslow and sixteen de luxe The Wolves suffered from a lack of possession in the first half and were rarely able to build consistent pressure on the whisk(e)ys to choose from. home side’s defence. Leigh had the better of the play during this period with their simple direct pick and drive game, which was just what was required, playing into the teeth of the wind. After just seven minutes play, they were awarded two penalties in quick succession, which they chose to run. Sheer force of numbers rather than any break enabled NORTH 1 WEST LEADING POINT SCORERS 2011/12 Leigh hooker Peter Ince to cross for their solitary try. The Wolves responded immediately by pressurising the restart and forcing a turn over, which MacCallum swung to his right. The move was held up on the Leigh line but the forwards Player Team Con Pen DG Tries Pts arrived to dig the ball out and the skipper Dan Wright was able to crash over from short range. MacCallum’s conversion from the right touch line was helped on its way by the wind as it sailed imperiously through the uprights. Will Cargill Sandbach 27 34 1 4 179 Twice more, the Wolves created half chances wide out on the left but neither Ben Day nor Matthew King could get the Kevin Leadbetter Widnes 30 18 0 10 164 final pass to go to hand. For the main part, the Leigh side maintained control of the ball, without ever much threatening to break down the Wolves defence. Unlike back in the autumn when they had been able to offload the ball Craig Harvey Wirral 24 25 0 4 143 in the tackle to supporting runners with great effect against the Wolves, this time their ball carriers were simply going to ground and they never built any real momentum. Nevertheless, the cognoscenti on the touchline were all agreed Tom Carter Vale of Lune 32 21 0 2 137 that the Wolves 7-5 half time advantage was nowhere near enough. The Leigh half backs, they thought, would kick into the corners for their forwards to eventually drive over. Within just two minutes, Lewis McKay, brought on at half Grant Hallam Northwich 28 15 1 3 119 time for Jack Walmsley, got himself yellow carded and ten minutes in the sin bin. Despite missing the relatively straightforward kick at goal, Leigh now looked to possess all the cards and prospects looked grim for the Wolves. Bob MacCallum Wilmslow 24 18 1 2 115

Glen Weightman Carlisle 14 27 0 0 109 But that wasn’t how it worked out. Jack Walmsley came back on to replace McKay and against all expectations the Wolves seven man scrum proceeded to demolish the opposition. When McKay came back on again and the pack was the easyfish company Matt Cunliffe Liverpool St Helens 24 16 0 2 106 restored to eight, their dominance just grew. Any ball that Leigh won was in a mess and the Wolves poured through in Chapel Lane on it time and again forcing several key turnovers. To add to the Leigh discomfort, the Wolves now started to pilfer Jack Clegg Aspatria 16 21 0 1 100 Leigh’s line out ball. There was an impressive break out by McKay, who seemed to feature in everything; full back Ben Day was hauled down just inches short, scrum half Andy Walker had what looked a perfectly good try disallowed Paul Wilcock Leigh 6 7 0 11 88 by an unsighted referee, Ms. Cooper and Chadwick in the centre saw more of the ball than they could possibly have expected and back row substitute Ben Jones earned himself the man of the match award for an unstinting seventy James Moore Vale of Lune 8 5 0 8 71 minutes, when Dan Partington had to go off with a dislocated shoulder. Most of the game was now being conducted Weddings, Portraits, well inside the Leigh half and MacCallum was able to slot two short range penalties in the middle of the period to Events, Music, Sports James Hodder Vale of Lune 0 1 0 13 68 extend the Wolves lead. Only in the last minutes were Leigh able to mount any attacks but the Wolves stayed firm Pet and Fashion Photography and their line was rarely threatened. Tom Forshaw Leigh 17 6 0 2 62 It seemed to take referee Andy Daniels an age to bring proceedings to a close, perhaps he was just totally enthralled Daniel Harvey Wirral 1 1 0 11 60 by the contest, but when he did it was a happy contingent of Wilmslow players and supporters, who headed for the cosy warmth and comfort and excellent ale of the Leigh clubhouse. They thoroughly deserve their CAMRA rating. Simon Mason Anselmians 11 10 1 0 55

Matty Smith Widnes 0 0 0 11 55

Ian Stanley Liverpool St Helens 1 0 0 10 52

Darren James Rochdale 13 7 0 1 52

Richard Murray Sandbach 0 0 0 10 50

Adam Dyson Leigh 0 0 0 10 50 The season started up again on the 8th. January with all our junior sides in action against Altrincham Kersal. The McKechnie League Up on the Jim Evison Field, the U13s and U15s both came unstuck by Sponsored by The Artisan Meat Company 27-10 and 12-7 respectively.

Phil Howells was not at all disappointed with his team’s narrow loss, It was like the start of a new season last week with several fancied teams losing, not All Very tight at the top now saying that they had generally played with spirit and commitment, had least Widnes and Leigh at home to Northwich and Wilmslow respectively. Not many with everyone closing in on tackled well and on another day could have come away with the spoils. The measure of their improvement throughout of our punters got those two right, which shows that there’s more to this forecasting Alberts Army but the Coach the season can be gauged against the 40 point beating they received from the same side back in the autumn. business than you might think. have actually caught up and are

sitting top equal! Wolfie’s All the junior sides now have matches to come against Crewe and Nantwich and Chester before their next Cheshire Cup Anselmians v Leigh : The Saints are finding it hard going and I think they’ll find Leigh resurgent after losing at home last week. Away win. strategy paid dividends last matches kick in on 5th. February. The U15s have a home draw against Marple. weekend with the Cumbrian duo Broughton Park v Sandbach : Park could do with a win or two to keep them At Stelfox, Chas McNamara saw the U14s win 12-0 with two tries either side of half time. There wasn’t much to choose comfortably in the middle of the table but they don’t look a threat to top of the table of Carlisle and Aspatria both between the sides in the first half but the Wilmslow boys definitely enjoyed the better of the second period and could Sandbach. Away win. pulling off unexpected home easily have added to their score. Lawrence Webber scored a fine individual try in the first half and for his overall Liverpool St. Helens v Vale of Lune : Another interesting fixture. LSH seem to wins!! performance was elected man of the match. Encouragingly twenty one players turned up all wishing to play. This side’s have lost their edge in the last few weeks and Vale have suddenly got back into the cup game is away at Stockport. promotion race but they haven’t travelled well. Moss Lane is a pitch though on which sides playing fluent rugby can prosper and Vale might just be the one. Away Finally, the U16s shared a 15-15 draw but with two tries to five penalties, the Wilmslow boys could claim the moral high win. ground. On a heavy ground, the game soon got into a pattern with Wilmslow doing most of the attacking, then getting Northwich v Aspatria : Hard to see anything but a home win here. penalised at the breakdown, allowing Kersal to kick into Wilmslow territory. In the second half, Wilmslow had much the Wigton v Rochdale : Rochdale like to play a bit of running and passing rugby but better of it in Altrincham territory. They were dominant in the scrum, went through the phases, reports Ben Humphries, it’s hard to do that on the Wigton pitch which looks to me to be a bit narrower than but found a solid Kersal defence hard to breach. Add to that a heavy penalty count against them for all manner of some others. Wigton may be down at the bottom end of the league but they’re not infringements, some understood and some not, and it was easy to see how the home side escaped with a draw. Try out of it yet so they can maybe steal this one on their own turf. Home win. scorers were Mike Parker and Dan Percival. Wilmslow v Widnes : The Wolves recent improved performances won’t have gone unnoticed at Widnes but this is a match between two sides who like to play a bit. Widnes may be in second place with proven match winners in Leadbetter and Smith but I fancy the Wolves at home. Wirral v Carlisle : Carlisle have become formidable opposition at home but they’re yet to produce any form on the road. The Carlisle pack will have a go but I fancy the Harvey brothers to guide Wirral home without too much alarm.

Marauders

Cheshire’s

LeCoach

Muckles

H = Home Win, A = Away Win, Albert’s Results Six teams of five punters each, Keeper

& Cinq&

Wolfie

Finest

Uncle

Army Caldy 22- 5 Wilmslow renowned for their insight of D = Draw Bar all things rugby, each week

give their N1W result Saturday 7th. January The county champions turned the tables on their Wilmslow opponents in this return Raging Bulls League

match last Sunday. predictions alongside to the league administrator Grant Aspatria v Broughton Park H A A A A A H McKechnie. At the end of the They eventually got their revenge for their earlier defeat at Pownall Park, but were pushed hard for an season the champion punters Carlisle v LSH H A A A A A H hour by a spirited Wilmslow performance. The visitors were ahead 5-0 at half time after a try by blind-side will receive a winner’s pack of Josh Boland, but they couldn't withstand the barrage that greeted them after the interval. "Maybe we'll try meat from the league sponsor. Leigh v Wilmslow A H H H A H A passing the port at half-time next week" said coach Shotton. Rochdale v Wirral H H H H H H A

The junior colts regular league Sandbach v Wigton H H H H H H H

season ends in four weeks after Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adj Vale of Lune v Anselmians H H H H H H H fixtures against Broughton Park, Lymm.and Stockport. In between, Wirral Junior Colts 15 12 1 2 415 150 265 40 0 Widnes v Northwich H H H H H H A they have their second round Stockport Junior Colts 15 12 0 3 382 214 168 39 0 Points for the Week 10 4 4 4 6 4 Cheshire Cup match at home Points for the Season 130 132 136 122 136 130 against Winnington Park aqnd the Caldy Junior Colts 14 9 0 5 460 178 282 32 0 seven round league cup competition Sandbach Junior Colts 14 8 0 6 329 259 70 30 0 then starts in March. Saturday 14th. January Preston Grasshoppers Junior Colts 14 6 1 7 205 186 19 27 0 Cherry Tree Farm Lees Lane Mottram St. Andrew Anselmians v Leigh H A A A N/A N/A Geoff Crawford’s Senior Colts Lymm Junior Colts 15 5 2 8 318 488 -170 27 0 (U19s) side is also due to play in the Open : Broughton Park v Sandbach H A A A N/A N/A Macclesfield Junior Colts 15 5 1 9 235 387 -152 26 0 Tue - Fri second round on 5th. February but 8.00am -5.30pm LSH v Vale of Lune H H H H N/A N/A there doesn’t seem to be any Sat 8.00am -5.00pm Broughton Park Junior Colts 14 6 0 8 231 389 -158 26 0 published details of whom the Sun 10.00am -4.00pm Northwich v Aspatria H H H H N/A N/A opposition are to be that I can find Wilmslow Junior Colts 14 5 1 8 188 269 -81 24 0 This week, rump Wigton v Rochdale H H H H N/A N/A on either the club or county’s web steaks are on at Altrincham Kersal Junior Colts 14 0 2 12 125 368 -243 15 0 Wilmslow v Widnes H A H H N/A N/A sites. £4.99 lb. Wirral v Carlisle H H H H N/A N/A

NEXT MATCHES AT THE MEMORIAL GROUND Saturday 14th. January 2012 21st. January League North One West Raging Bull Plate Wilmslow v Widnes Ravens v Dukinfield Wilmslow XV and their Sponsors Widnes XV

Next week, the Wolves head off down the M56 into the 15. Ben Day Danilos Pizzeria Trattoria 15. Andy Riley Wirral for a rearranged 2.15pm kick off against Anselmians MALONE FIELD, EASTHAM VILLAGE RD., EASTHAM 14. Ricky Chadwick Gascoigne Halman 14. Kevin Leadbetter WIRRAL, CH62 OBJ, Tel: 0151 327 1613 13. Mike Black TD Travel Management 13. Gareth Riley 1. Leave the M53 at Junction 5 12. Craig Cooper Easyfish 2. Take the 1st exit onto New Chester Road : 0.6 mi 12. David Welsh 3. Turn Right at Eastham Rake : go 0.4 mi 11. Matthew King Rick Green 11. Matty Smith 4. Turn Left at Eastham Village Road : go 0.1 mi 5. Arrive at Anselmians Rugby Union Football Club. 10. Bob MacCallum Wilmslow IT 10. Phil Glover

Unfortunately, we don’t have a recommended pre match 9. Andy Walker Nick Fiennes 9. Mike Lamb pub for this fixture. Any suggestions will be considered. I seem to recall though that the bar at Anselmians is 1. Sam Rodman Spencer Hunt 1. Paul Borg perfectly hospitable and normally busy. 2. Alex Donaldson Norman Herring 2. Ceri Scanlon 3. Jack Walmsley Hotel TV Company 3. Justin Winstanley PLAYERS AND THEIR SPONSORS 4. Gareth Tait Saddle B & B 4. Alan Chadwick The players and coaches would like to thank those organisations and individuals who have supported the cause of Wilmslow rugby by 5. Mike Clifford FGP 5. Harry Varley becoming their personal sponsors. All the funds raised are directed 6. James Keys McCafferty Asset Mgt 6. Thomas McMuldroch towards funding coaching, kit, equipment, physios and team travel. 7. Hugo Corbett Jon Hitch 7. Rob Critchley Matthew King - Rick Green : Ben Day - Danilos Pizzeria Trattoria, Hale 8. Dan Wright Deloitte 8. Tim Hewlett Bob MacCallum - Wilmslow IT : Aaron Loftus - OCA Restaurant Andy Walker - Nick Fiennes : Stuart Lindsay - Drew Donaldson Jack Walmsley - The Hotel TV Company : Gareth Tait - Saddle B & B Subs Subs Lewis MacKay - GPM Developments : Ross Mitchell -John Holloway Chris Findlow - Mellington Estates : Chris Lee - Oliver James Associates Lewis MacKay GPM Developments Gareth Moss Sam Cutts - David Barker : Liam McCrea - Strength and Performance Ben Jones McCafferty Asset Mgt Chris Schofield Mike Clifford - Fallows Gowan Partnership Dominic Clancy - Deansgate Taverns : Dan Wright - Deloitte Chris Lee Oliver James Associates Kevin Farrow Craig Cooper - Easyfish of Chapel Lane : Ricky Chadwick -Gascoigne Halman : Sam Rodman - Spencer Hunt Chris Lee - Oliver James Associates : Dan Partington -Slater Heelis/Mike Hamlin Referee James Keys and Ben Jones - McCafferty Asset Management Alex Donaldson - Norman Herring : Giles Heagerty - Forge Dynamic Ltd Andy Rawson Hugo Corbett -Jon Hitch : Tom Raynor - Robin Greenway Mike Black - TD Travel Management : Sean Street - Proseal MDRURS Wishing the Wolves a Successful Season