NORTHWICH RUFC played a highly competitive squad practice match against Midlands Division One team Newcastle-under-Lyme which finished all square on Saturday.

But the real action starts this weekend when the men from Moss Farm take on promoted Widnes club Birchfield in the first fixture of the Thwaites Northern Division South Lancashire and Cheshire League.

The team will line up with a new strip sponsored by J J Cosgrove & Son and it is hoped Barrow rugby league player Dave Witter will be donning it.

He played in the back row in Saturday's friendly and made his presence felt with some big hits in the tackle.

Kick-off at Moss Farm on Saturday is 3pm.

The 2nd XV travel to Birchfield and the 3rds go to Whitchurch.

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