WHEN a group of old classmates decided to starts their own rugby team half a century ago, none expected it to be playing in 2016.

Nor was that their motivation.

A bunch of teenagers, they were concerned with continuing to play a sport they loved.

They had so much fun on the field that they didn’t think of hiring a coach until a decade later.

“That’s where I came in,” says Roger Blake.

“Colin Naylor, their captain, asked if I’d train them.

“I’d taught many of the lads in my day job at what was then Sir John Deane’s Grammar School, where I was also the rugby master – so I knew they could play.

“They had the same enthusiasm for the game that I did.”

And that, he feels, is why there were smiles – plenty of them accompanied by a distinctive black and gold tie – at Moss Farm on Saturday to mark Northwich Rugby Club’s 50th anniversary.

Some, like John Langston, were at the first.

“For me, 1979 was probably our most significant moment on the pitch because we appointed Roger as our first coach,” he said.

“From that moment, we became a more organised set-up.

“That change in attitude helped turn us into the respected force we now are.”

As if to prove the point, Blacks’ current first team recorded their biggest league win in nine years at the weekend – a 77-0 thrashing of Hoylake.

Under one of Blake’s successors, Martin Poste, they are on course to win a second South Lancs/Cheshire Division One title.

“It’s a strong side – one of the best we’ve had for a while,” says Blake.

And he should know.

The 80-year-old, like many at Moss Farm, has fond memories of the side that won the RFU Senior Vase at Twickenham during a record-breaking season in 2007.

“Who wouldn’t be proud of winning a final at HQ?” he asks.

“It was another step on a long journey to establish ourselves – remember, we started out playing friendlies against the second teams at major clubs like Sale, Waterloo and Birkenhead Park.

“Winnington Park wouldn’t even do that!”

According to Langston, Blake changed how Mid-Cheshire College – the club’s name until 1990 because they played home games at the Hartford venue – were perceived by their peers.

A former player, Danny Townsend, agrees.

“Roger was ahead of his time in many ways,” he says.

“I’d come up here from down south, where we thought the back-row lads were there to drive us home after the final whistle.

“He changed my way of thinking certainly.”

Blake, who still represents Northwich at meetings of the county governing body, says it is simpler than that.

“As a teacher, couldn’t help organising them!” he quips.

“And I was happy to.”

A first trophy followed in 1982, coincidentally at neighbours Winnington’s 75th anniversary tournament, when they were also runners-up in the Cheshire RFU Plate final.

A maiden senior success arrived in the same competition following a 23-7 defeat of Oldershaw.

But a first competitive clash with Park, which Mid-Cheshire won, is Blake’s favourite memory.

“I was lucky to work with some great players too,” he said.

“Mike Naylor was a great scrum-half, and could have played at a higher level.

“We had another local lad, Barry James, at hooker – his son Chris plays in the same position for the first team now.

“I must mention Colin [Naylor] too; he was a driving force on and off the field, a real leader.

“And then there’s Tim Wilding – he’s not a Northwich legend for no good reason.”

And what next – how does a club that hadn’t considered it might be around for 50 years stay relevant for another half-century?

Blake pauses before answering.

“Some things haven’t changed at all, like that raw spirit and passion for the game,” he said.

“While that’s still there, anything is possible.”