WOOLSTON Rovers' decision to sacrifice top flight winter amateur Rugby League for a move to summer action was proved justified when the pioneers reached the first National League Three Grand Final.

And now, in a week when Rovers return to the North West Counties League after an absence of 16 years, they are looking forward to bidding to complete a unique double - winning the inaugural National Conference winter title and the inaugural National League Three summer crown.

Summer and winter seasons will overlap for Rovers from now on which is the reason why they stepped away from the National Conference League Premier Division, which they have won three times in total, this winter.

Rovers, who set out to win NL Three from the first whistle as Warrington Woolston Rovers, knew they could not commit to the NCL management's demand of fielding their strongest side because of the potential overlap of the play-offs.

So instead, Rovers' first team will concentrate their winter focus on NWC Division One and attempting to gain immediate promotion to the Premier Division. NWC do not permit teams returning from the Conference to go direct into the Premier Division.

Rovers' first taste of NWC action since 1987 will be at home to Rochdale's Spotland on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.