H''KER Simon Grant has joined Northwich RUFC from Macclesfield to replace Iain Taylor.

Taylor, who was approached by New Brighton after making the Cheshire squad last season, decided to join the Merseysiders after much deliberation.

Grant made his first appearance in a squad game against Lymm at Moss Farm last Thursday, where coach Chris Brierley and new assistant Andy Manicorn ran the rule over the players in four 20-minute sessions.

The first session ended all square, but Lymm took the upper hand in the following three as Northwich swapped their side around.

Although they have not signed any other players from other clubs, the squad has been boosted by the return from university of backs Chris Caufield and Rob Jones, and ex-junior lock Dave Farley from a spell with Chester Colts.

Former youth team star Anthony Moores, who has been out of the game for a couple of years, will also be back in contention for a place in the forwards after an operation.

Northwich were due to meet Winnington Park in another squad session tomorrow (Thursday), but have had to cancel this due to players being unavailable.

Instead, they will meet Newcastle-under-Lyne at Moss Farm on Saturday, 2.20pm.