Carlisle 1st XV vs Broughton Park 1st XV
Park’s 1st team travel to the most northern city in the country to take on Carlisle at Warwick Road, following on from last week’s defeat to Stockport at Hough End. Carlisle sit atop the table after three games a point clear of second placed team Waterloo, establishing themselves as the early pace setters. They returned to North West One last season, having been relegated along with Park in 2016, and achieved a 10th place finish.. This summer they have recruited strongly and welcomed former Harlequins and Edinburgh player Matt Shields as Player-Head Coach, who came through the youth ranks at Warwick Road. They have converted a productive summer into a good start in the league and will be looking to join a number of clubs in the chase for promotion.
As mentioned both sides were relegated from this level a couple of years ago which was the last time the met each other. Their last game ended in an 18-18 draw in the January of 2016, with Park going down 22-5 on their last visit to the border city at the same stage of that season as today’s game. Park find themselves third from bottom after the opening three games, but unlike the bottom two Anselminas and De Le Salle they have already registered a win. The start to the season has proven to be a tricky assignment as they have played sides all hoping to be at the top come May. However, encouragement can be taken from Park’s performance in these opening games as the side looks to establish themselves in this league.
1st XV Squad vs Carlisle 1st XV
Askew, Blackley-Edwards, Booth, Brogan, Bryan, Cibula, Dewland, J Hodkinson, M Hodkinson, Kelly, Maddocks, J Noone, C O'Donnell, P O'Donnell, F Smith, Sneesby, Tully, Williams
Broughton Park 2nd XV vs Burnage 2nd XV
Another local derby takes place at Hough End this Saturday as Park’s 2nd XV play Burnage. With victories for both Park’s 1st XV and 3rd XV against Burnage the 2nd XV will hopefully make it a treble of Park victories. However, the form book in this fixture is not in their favour as the 2nd XV have only won two of their last six games against Burnage. Last season honours were split with Park taking the win away, but then losing in the final minutes at Hough End, something that became a reoccurring theme last season.
After a 9th place finish in the league last season, three places below Park, Burnage have had a mixed start to the new season. They beat Altrincham Kersal comfortably 36-19 on the opening day at Valery Park, before then losing to both Penrith and Sandbach. Those results sees them level on points after three matches with Park, however they are the place above in 6th thanks to a better points difference. That means that both league position and bragging rights are up for grabs on Saturday.
2nd XV Squad v Burnage 2nd XV
Anderson, Del Bano Ortiz, Eaton, Gayle, Joseph, Mahoub, McColl, McLaughlin, Mutts, O'Meara, Richardson, Rodgers Jr, Safi, Selby, Sherwin, Sinclair, Smit, Tribley
Crewe & Nantwich Ladies vs Broughton Park Ladies
The Park Ladies resume their North West One campaign away at Crewe & Nantwich on Sunday. After an opening match draw with current league leaders Carlisle the Ladies will be looking for their first league win of the season. However, Crewe & Nantwich were runners up in the league last season and will be aiming to go one better this time around. They also took on Cumbrian opponents in their first game defeating Kendall 32-22 away from home. Captain Louise Sinclair will be hoping her team can build upon their good performance against Carlisle in what will be their toughest league game to date.
Wigan Senior Colts vs Broughton Park Senior Colts
The Senior Colts also had a week off last time around and this week will play Wigan away at Douglas Valley. Since their defeat to Northwich in their last fixture several of their squad made their debuts for both the 2nd and 3rd XVs last week, gaining valuable experience of senior level rugby. They have been further boosted by the addition of club stalwart Warren Duffy to the coaching team, as he continues his return from a long standing back problem. Wigan will be a very difficult opponent for the Colts, especially at home, having only lost to Clitheroe and winning their other games.
