Wids back in action already (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Wids back in action already

2:36pm Wednesday 24th August 2011 in Sport

IT only seems five minutes since the end of last season, but Widnes RUFC are back in action on Saturday, when they take on Orrell in the first round of the Lancashire Trophy.

The game brings back many old memories from days gone by, and with Orrell slowly rising again from the ashes following their demise in the professional era, a great game looks in prospect.

For Widnes, it will be their first serious run out since the heady days of last May when they beat Fleetwood in the play-offs to secure promotion to North One West, where they open their account at home to Wirral on 3 September.

Before that, though, they will be looking to hit the ground running against a team who themselves were crowned as champions of South Lancs/Cheshire 2 and will certainly be no pushovers against their old rivals.

Head coach McDermott has been pleased with the way pre-season training has gone thus far and with an influx of new players – Pier Liku, Troy Fell and Brian Capewell – joining the up and coming Chris Schofield and Dean Morris who have moved up from their all conquering Colts team.

Apart from the new faces several other players have returned to the club, including; Rob Critchley and Ben Hazzard, whilst Richie Barraclough and Tom Farmer are also back after a spell away. John Parker has been installed as Second Team captain and it will be his job to build on the momentum of last season in the University of Salford league as well as keeping the first team squad on their toes.