15TH FEBRUARY - REGIONAL 2 NORTH WEST
Off to Cheshire on Saturday where 9th-placed Northwich await. The hosts took a losing bonus point at Burnage last week, and although beaten on four occasions at home, will be a tougher nut to crack than the Douglas 32-13 win at Port-e-Chee in November might suggest.
Any league points will be welcome, as Altrincham are unlikely to trip up at home to Widnes, and stretching the gap to 8th would be a useful buffer. As ever much depends on availability, with Simon Hoddinott sidelined to fulfil London Marathon entry, and a couple of unknowns at this time including Charlie Henthorn off injured with an ankle strain early in last week’s first half. The form men have been Kyle Martin, whether on the wing or at scrum-half, and James Ross who is starting to make a real impression in midfield. Harry Hewson’s influential performance last week was tantamount to throwing another forward in, such was his value at the breakdown, and up front the return of John Dutnall, in the hopefully temporary absence of Percy Hampton and Mark Oldfield, could be vital.
