- New website initiative strengthens links
- Magazine section reflects expansive mood
The North West Intermediate Rugby Union Leagues, popularly known as the Miller Homes league, but also sponsored by Bateman BMW and Raging Bull Sportswear, has launched a new online magazine as the leagues continue to grow.
Founded seven years ago with six leagues, the competition has now expanded to 14 divisions and while there are inevitable casualties as member clubs feel the draft of fluctuating player numbers, the generally trend within the organisation has been one of expansion.
That is certainly true of the league’s comprehensive website, which this season has added a magazine section, which in keeping with league traditions, has also seen a rapid expansion.
The online publication has swelled from the eight-pageinaugural edition to 15 pages by the third edition. The content embraces personality and club profiles, information on league issues and developments and a generous helping of ‘rag mag’ humour to keep things light and entertaining.
Statistics from the league show that 185 teams are currently in action each weekend, with the front runners going into December being:
Bateman BMW Premiership: Sedgley Park 2 and Macclesfield 2 – unbeaten with 38 points
Miller Homes League Division One: Lymm 2 - 41 points; Sandbach 2 - 38 points
Division Two: Burnage 2 (unbeaten) - 44 points; Stockport 3 - 41 points
Division Three North: Rossendale 2 - 37 points; Thornton Cleveleys and Fleetwood 2 - 34 points
Division Three East: Aldwinians 2 (unbeaten) - 40 points; Broughton Park 3 - 38 points
Division Three West: Caldy 3, Sandbach 3 and Sefton 2 - 34 points
Division Four North: Tarleton 2 - 35 points; Penrith 3 and Furness 2 - 30 points
Division Four South: Anselmians 2 - 33 points; Marple 3 - 30 points
Division Four East: Rochdale 3 - 34 points; De La Salle 2 - 32 points
Division Four West: Birkenhead Park 3 - 44 points; Liverpool Coll 2 and Southport 2 - 41 points
Division Five North: Aspull - 34 points; Hawcoat Park 2 - 30 points
Division Five South: Wilmslow 3 and Oswestry 3 - 33 points
Division Five East: Hope Valley (unbeaten) - 44 points; Aldwinians 4 - 37 points
Division Five West: Northwich 3 - 35 points; Liverpool Un Medics - 28 points
On the knockout front, the four Raging Bull sponsored competitions are now underway, with Round Two set for January 2, 2010. As expected, the pacemakers in the Bateman Premiership, Sedgley Park and Macclesfield both progressed and now both go on the road in Round Two, Sedgley Park to Birkenhead and Macclesfield to Chester.
Finals day for the those competitions is always the high spot of the Miller Homes League season and once again the league top brass are inviting clubs who would like to stage the event to express their interest.
The finals will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2010 and applications for the chance to host the event must be with League Secretary Reg Robinson by December 31, 2009. Contact 01524 770166 or 07730 102362 for details on what is involved.
