Ruskin Park 8 Northwich 34

NORTHWICH recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time this season after running in five tries at lowly Ruskin Park.

They rise to fifth place in the South Lancs/Cheshire Division One table as a reward.

Blacks, with momentum following last Saturday’s derby success against neighbours Winnington Park, had this contest won long before the finish.

The teams traded penalties, Richard Dale slotting his, before the visitors established a lead they protected throughout.

Jack Watts fed a pass to Chris Dutoy for their first try, finishing a move started by Liam Gavin’s charge.

Dale added the extras.

Northwich crossed the whitewash again after half an hour, Joel Shields touching down following a series of rucks after Sam Kania’s burst forward had gained ground.

A third try before the interval threatened to put the men from Moss Farm out of reach, this time Shields off-loaded to Dale who in turn sent in James Elliott for a score his individual performance deserved.

Dale’s successful conversion made it 22-3. 

Blacks made sure of victory a minute into the second half, Shields sprinting to the line after intercepting a loose pass when the hosts threatened to counter.

Dale kicked a third conversion of the afternoon.

The away team demonstrated their resilience in defence for the remainder, during which three players – Callum Hulbert, Robin Houghton and Grayson Thyne – spent time in the sin bin.

But Ruskin could find no way through.

Instead Northwich scored next, Watts adding a finishing flourish to their best move of the match.

After Dale collected a kick forward deep inside his own half, the ball passed through the hands of Kania and Thyne before the latter’s back row partner touched down close to the posts.

The hosts claimed a consolation try in the closing stages when, despite the best effort of full back Joel Barber, a Ruskin attacker off-loaded in time to send over a teammate.

Northwich Hulbert, Thompson, Cairns, McCormick, Gavin, Watts, Thyne, Elliott, Houghton, Dutoy, Richard Dale, Shields, Simes, Kania, Barber Replacements Jones, Dodd, Wood Tries Shields (2), Dutoy, Elliott, Watts Cons Richard Dale (3) Pen Richard Dale