Anselmians 42 Northwich 32

NORTHWICH touched down six times at Anselmians on Saturday, but still lost a high-scoring contest.

However a second defeat in three matches was not enough to prevent them finishing third in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

Blacks trailed inside the opening minute to Simon Mason’s penalty, but replied quickly when Sam Jones sent in Liam Gavin for a neat try.

Mason slotted another three-pointer for the hosts, although the men from Moss Farm edged ahead again when a quickly-taken tap penalty by Jack Watts led to Jones crossing in the corner.

Anselmians rallied though, scoring two converted tries before Mason completed a hat-trick of penalties to make it 23-10.

The visitors reduced their arrears before the break when Richard Dale’s smartly-executed tap led to him touching down close to the posts.

He added the extras too.

Shortly after the interval, Sione Tangi’s try closed Northwich to within a point of the home team.

Indiscipline cost them, Mason inflicting punishment with two more penalties before his side moved out of Black’s reach with a brace of tries.

Robin Houghton went over the whitewash with six minutes left, as did Gavin after Mason had added another three-pointer.

Despite scoring more tries than Anselmians, Northwich had no complaints about the outcome.

They finish the campaign 14 points adrift of second-placed Liverpool St Helens, who will now contest a promotion play-off, and the same distance ahead of neighbours Winnington Park.

Northwich Cartman, Thompson, Tangi, Smith, Harrison, James, Gavin, Watts, Houghton, Dale, Davies, Barber, Purbrick, Jones, Gallimore Replacements Cairns, Lloyd, Naylor Tries Gavin (2), Jones, Dale, Tangi, Houghton Con Dale

Additional reporting by Steve Wood