Blackburn 16 Northwich 16

NORTHWICH bowed out of the RFU Intermediate Cup despite avoiding defeat at Blackburn on Saturday.

A draw left Blacks level with their hosts in the Northern Pool One table, but the Lancashire outfit progress to the next round as a reward for a better points-difference.

In short, they defeated back-markers Aspatria by a bigger margin.

Blackburn, second in North Lancs/Cumbria, had lost only once on their own pitch this season.

That did not deter Northwich, who started at speed.

Their early pressure brought with it a dividend of Chris James, following a series of charges, forcing himself over the try-line for the contest’s opening score.

James Underhill added the extras.

Blacks spent the remainder of the first half on the back foot, for the most part repelling the home team’s attacks.

One such raid ended with Liam Cunningham being denied but, from the resulting lineout, Jordan Pearson pinched the ball and peeled away to touch down in the corner.

Sam Morgan converted from the touchline.

He added a penalty from long range, after a Northwich player strayed offside, to make it 10-7 at the interval.

 The visitors restored parity quickly after the interval, this time when Underhill slotted a three-pointer of his own.

Burn went close when Morgan charged down a clearance kick and hacked on, but he lost a foot race with recovering defenders.

Instead, Northwich inched ahead at 13-10 when Underhill was again successful with a penalty attempt.

Morgan might have levelled the score only for his next attempt to hit a post, but he made amends when the hosts were awarded another penalty shortly afterwards.

With little to separate evenly-matched sides, it was Underhill’s trusty right boot that put Northwich ahead for a third time when he completed a hat-trick of penalties.

But Morgan matched that feat with 11 minutes left to level the score at 16-16.

He dragged another effort wide, while Northwich – shorn of injured talisman Richard Dale – struggled to muster an attack from which they could secure a victory.

Morgan’s final attempt again struck an upright, but it did not matter.

Northwich, unbeaten now in six league and cup matches, travel to Sefton in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One this Saturday.

Grayson Thyne (ankle) is unlikely to feature for Blacks. 

Northwich Cairns, Brotherton, Tangi, Harrison, Smith, Gavin, James, Thyne, Smith, Gallimore, Underhill, Simes, Naylor, Watts, Houghton, Barber Replacements Thompson, Oultram, Cartman, Davies Try James Con Underhill Pens Underhill (3)