CALDY got the worst of the luck in the draw for the fourth round of the NPI Intermediate Cup. Not only were they placed in the Midlands section to even up the numbers, but they were also given a trip to unknown territory.

They will meet Oakham at the Show Ground, Rutland, on November 22. Oakham play in the East Midlands/Leicestershire League, which is effectively one below Caldy, so the Wirral side will not be without hope.

Oldershaw have an intriguing home clash with go-ahead Blydon, who are a league above in North Two.

Meanwhile, there was a full league programme at the weekend - and it brought victories for Birkenhead Park and Oldershaw in Thwaites North West League Division One.

Birkenhead Park got home 23-20 against Ashton-on-Mersey with tries from Peter Blaylock and Lee Heighway and three penalties and a brace of conversions by Tom Mapp.

Oldershaw produced a performance that at times was outstanding and at others exasperating in a 34-10 scoreline against Wilmslow. Some of the continuity play was a joy to watch.

However, the amount of times Oldershaw wasted opportunities to score was unbelievable. The score could quite easily have been 70 points plus. There were touch downs for Richard Abbey, Ed McCullough and Steve Myerhoff.

Flanker John Shudall scored the best try of the game when he finished off a move which had gone through several phases of play before he took the scoring pass and went over the line despite a valiant attempt from the Wilmslow full back to prevent him. Willy Gardner targeted four penalties and a conversion.

League action continues on Saturday with Oldershaw entertaining North West League Division One leaders West Park and Birkenhead Park going to Wilmslow. Caldy are at Northwich. Other matches: Anselmians v South Liverpool, Eagle v Wirral, Sefton v Wallasey, Parkonians v Marple, Port Sunlight v Hoylake, Collegiate v Prenton.

Cheshire whipped Durham 34-0 at Darlington to take the Northern Colts Group title. They now meet Gloucestershire, on Sunday, at Sale in the quarter-finals. In the latest win, James Jobling, Mark Smith and Steve Johnson gained two tries each and Marcus Barrow a couple of conversions.

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