RYLANDS Sharks ARLFC first team will play NWML Premier Division rugby in 2015 after successfully winning promotion due to changes in the league structure.

Sharks, who narrowly lost out to last season’s Premiers West Bank Bears two weeks ago 18-12, applied to move into a higher division due to changes within the current league structure.

New head coach Matt Wilson is delighted they were successful and now feels the club is back where it belongs.

“After the game against West Bank bears the draft fixtures for the current league season came out we were again in Division Two and our second team were in Division Four," he said.

"After speaking with the coaching staff and committee we believed that with the calibre of player we have managed to attract to the club in pre-season, and with the hard work being done by the committee and coaching staff on both teams, we could possibly play higher.

"Luckily that opportunity was there for us and we jumped at it."

Jumping two divisions will be a big ask for the Sharks, but Wilson believes with the hard work done in pre-season and structural changes being made by the club at all levels they can more than compete with the best the North West Mens League has to offer.

“We have two really strong teams our second team coached my Mal Mason and Liam Lawton are looking stronger than I have ever seen them.

"The first team are really building well towards the new season, but I am under no illusions we have not earned the right to be that division like the other teams have so we will have to work even harder and prove we belong there.

"Personally I have real belief in the staff and the players of this great club and feel we that we can more than do that and continue to climb the amateur ranks.”

Rylands ARLFC continue their preparation for the new season on Saturday, 2pm, against Golborne Parkside.

That is followed by fixtures on February 21 versus Clockface Miners and February 28 versus the RAF in the Archie Monks Memorial game.

On March 7 they will face Widnes Tigers, all pre-season games are set to take place at Gorsey Lane.

Rylands also host there first Annual Dart competition tomorrow, Friday, February 13 at 7.30pm.

The night will involve 16 of the club's players taking to the Oche to be crowned darts champion 2015.

Tickets are available from behind the bar at the club, the night is to raise funds for the club and two of their players Luke Walker and Mathew Taylor, who will tour Serbia with England in May 2015.