Nigel Howles Rugby Union Report 4th February 2012

Nigel Howle's Rugby Report

 Longton gave the millionaires of Rugby Lions the fright of their lives last week before slipping to defeat.

 The Trentham Fields side came closer to taming Neil Back’s Lions than any other team before them and were just two points adrift at 10 – 12 with 10 minutes to go.

 The Lions have won all 18 league games this season as they embark on their mission of four promotions in four years to achieve their Premiership admission.

 Longton’s tries came from Thompson, Healey and teenage scrum half Sam Moores in a close encounter which Rugby Lions eventually won by 26 points to 17.

 Longton travel to Leicestershire today to play Syston, the only other team to win at Trentham Fields this season.

 Stoke were strangely subdued in recording a 26 points to 13 victory over neighbours Leek last weekend.

 The unbeaten Midlands West 2 (northern section) leaders were trailing at half time before normal service was resumed with three second half tries.

 Today’s fixture at Aston Old Edwardians has been postponed  

 Trentham’s mini revival continued with a 21 points to 5 victory over Southport. The New Inn Lane side are battling hard against relegation and did their chances a power of good with scores from Barker, Urwin and a penalty try last Saturday.

 Trentham travel to Sefton this afternoon.

 Today is a red letter day in the Rugby Union calendar with the start of the 2012 Six Nations tournament.

 It could be the most open championship for years with European heavyweights England and France in transition and under new management.

 Scotland will even start as favourites today as a new look England travel to Murrayfield.  The visitors are led by one cap flanker Chris Robshaw and have an exciting but untried centre partnership of Farrell and Barritt following the decision to jettison the old guard in the aftermath of a disastrous World Cup.

 France are the bookies favourite, but expect a strong challenge from Wales. It may be a year or so to early for the new England set up but the blooding of so many youngsters augurs well for future years and on to the 2015 World Cup.