With the first team not in action last weekend, it was a time to reflect for Wilmslow RUFC.

After a poor start in September and October, the Wolves appear to have got their season back on track with three consecutive much improved showings in November.

Five wins from 12 outings is not a particularly good return but is an awful lot better than it looked as though it might have been just four weeks ago.

If they can continue to show this form in the second half of the season, there is every opportunity that they could well climb into the top half of the table but on the other hand a relapse could easily see them fighting for league survival.

A spokesman said: "It has been particularly pleasing to see young players such as Sam Rodman – in his first season in the front row of club rugby – rise to the challenge, Alex Donaldson come of age as hooker, the return of Dan Partington and James Key restored to fitness."

Elsewhere, the second string Vikings are lying second in the University of Salford League Division 1, with only one league defeat.

They have enjoyed some famous wins, not least a fortnight ago, when they beat hitherto unbeaten league leaders Birkenhead Park.

Led by Ollie Morgan, they are serious challengers for a place in the Bateman Premier League.

Unbeaten are the third string, recast these days as the Developmentals.

Last season, they finished just one spot off promotion and this year, led by Matt Tucker, they are well on the way again.

On Saturday, they entertain Trafford MV and a win would take them clear at the top of the table.

Sunday was Cheshire Cup day for the club’s colts and junior sides.

Pride of place must go to the scratch U19 Colts, assembled by Geoff Crawford and Tim Street from eligible players, all of whom learned their rugby in the Wilmslow Junior Section.

In a stunning performance, five tries were scored by Harry Patch, Angus Crawford, Danny Thomas, Tommy Wilkinson and Sam Rodman as they comprehensively dismantled a regular U19 side from perennial rivals Stockport.

Not to be outdone, the U17 Junior Colts, orchestrated by their half-backs Wilf Noden and Callum Westaway, took their revenge for defeat by Wirral back in September by running out 27-7 winners in their Round 1 match.

After a hesitant start to the season, they now have five wins and a draw from their eleven Raging Bull Junior League A outings, while Westaway has been called up to join the Cheshire U18 squad.

Martin Hill’s U16 squad have five players selected by Cheshire this season and one by North Wales.

There are also many good young players coming through in the U15s, U14s and U13s, who will feature in representative sides within the next year or two.

The second half of the season starts on Saturday when the Wolves travel to Wigton, who are always a tricky proposition at home.

They then finish the year with a home game against arch rivals Northwich and a trip down the M56 to Anselmians in the Wirral.

All in all, the stage is set for exciting rugby this winter into the spring and thereafter.