NORTHWICH RUFC have been promoted.
The news has just been confirmed by the Rugby Football Union, who have announced promotions and relegations across the country despite the 2019-20 season’s premature end forced by the coronavirus pandemic and UK lockdown.
Blacks have finished second on the ladder based on the calculations employed by the RFU and will therefore be playing in the North Premier next season, which is level 5 status and new territory for this proud club.
Martin Poste’s men went undefeated at their Moss Farm home throughout the truncated campaign and lost only five matches out of the 21 played in North One West.
Burnage will also be promoted from North One West, going up as champions.
This means that next term Northwich will be playing fixtures against York, who have been promoted from North One East, as well as Macclesfield, Sandal, Billingham, Blackburn, Lymm, Kirkby Lonsdale, Rossendale, Wirral and Alnwick.
An RFU statement reads: "Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The Rugby Football Union has announced the final league positions.
"Proposals from the RFU governance committee to conclude the season for those leagues at both professional and community level were yesterday ratified by the RFU Council.
"It was agreed that final standings for the Greene King IPA Championship and men’s and women’s community game would be calculated on a best playing record formula maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues."
📈 | This is how close it was.@NorthwichRUFC edge out neighbours @AltrinchamRFC by little more than half a point.
— Andrew Simpson (@simmo_on_sport) April 3, 2020
Blacks take what would have been the promotion play-off place above Cleckheaton by virtue of having a superior playing record ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vHPp2SKzMD
Some of the reaction on Facebook this evening:
Andy Henners: Fantastic news at a tough time I’m sure this will bring joy to all sports fans in our great Town #teamsofthetown#clubofthecommunity
John Aston: We had all better start saving up (it was £20 last time I went to Macc!). Some long old away days await us!!
Cath Frazer: #teamsofthetown #clubofthecommunity
Come on you Millionaires get backing The Mighty Blacks next Season. You can’t take it with you.
Jase Patrick: Congratulations lads - well done !
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