Harrow Rugby Club will face more league games next season following the Rugby Football Union's expansion of the London League Four North West from 10 teams to 12, along with all the London leagues, to bring them in line with the other divisional leagues.
The corresponding increase in matches from 18 to 22 will mean an earlier start to the league campaign, on September 13, and a later finish, with the last games being scheduled for April 18.
The extended league should mean that the best and worst teams get their just rewards.
There was no relegation last season so, apart from Champions Finchley and runners-up Grasshoppers, who have both been promoted, Harrow will be facing seven of the league opponents they met last season.
Newcomers to London 4NW are Datchworth, who were relegated from London 3NW. Chiswick, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last season with an unbeaten campaign to win Herts/Middlesex 1, are also among Harrow's new opponents, along with Old Merchant Taylors and Hitchin, who won promotion as runners-up and third placed team in Herts/Middlesex 1.
Harrow will start the new season on September 13 with a home game against Bank of England, one of only two clubs who finished below eighth placed Harrow last season. They follow that with a visit to Chiswick on September 20.
The whole season is expected to be a stern test of HarrowÕs resources as they are likely to begin the campaign with a significant number of changes to their playing personnel, due to retirements, and other players leaving the club for ÔbetterÕ things.
