TWO teams are experiencing contrasting fortunes as a result of governing bodies finishing seasons early due to coronavirus.

While Wilmslow Rugby Club's second XV have achieved promotion courtesy of the RFU calculating teams' final positions, Styal FC Reserves have missed out on the possibility of continuing to chase top place due to the FA declaring the non-league season null and void.

Wilmslow Vikings, as the club's seconds are known, were running away with Independent E-nrg Division Two South and so will feel justified by the RFU's decision to mathematically predict finishing spots based on performances in the season up until the UK lockdown.

They will go up to Halbro Division One in the North West Intermediates League as champions, having won 19 of the 21 games played.

Vikings had established a 14-point lead over second-placed Holmes Chapel, and had the best attack and defence record in the division.

Styal, meanwhile, were sitting third in Reserve League One just three points behind frontrunners FC St Helens Reserves and two behind second-placed Eagle Sports Reserves, with half of their games still remaining.

It is the second year in a row that Vikings' season has ended early.

In the previous one, Wilmslow's first team suffered so many injuries while playing in the North Premier for the first time that Vikings players stepped up and not enough remained to fulfil matches at the lower level.

But their assault on the title got off to a perfect start, winning their opening five encounters including a stunning 53-0 win at home to Northwich and similar 50-5 success at Lymm.

The wheels 'briefly fell off' with a home loss to Liverpool St Helens but a fantastic run of form followed running up to Christmas, which included a 24-5 double header home win against second in the league Didsbury Toc H, a brilliant display at Manchester in a 41-17 win and also a home victory against stiff opposition Widnes.

Although Vikings went into the Christmas break with a disappointing 10-5 loss at Moore, they were not to taste defeat again.

An away win at Northwich started off an unstoppable run in which the highlights were a 44-19 win at home against Altrincham & Kersal, redemption away at Liverpool St Helens 33-0 and a 59-0 win at Liverpool Collegiate.