Northwich 40 Sefton 18

THE response to losing a derby is always a challenging one, perhaps more so when it is the first match of a new season.

But Northwich, despite being depleted, came up with the right answer.

Theirs was not a smooth win though against Sefton, who cancelled out James Underhill’s early penalty with one of their own.

The visitors’ centre was then sent off for retaliating.

And when Sam Naylor intercepted a loose pass to scoot clear and touch down Blacks’ first try, converted by Underhill, the hosts were favourites to win in comfort.

A gap between the teams grew wider when, after stealing possession at a lineout, Northwich recycled it for Andy Oultram to score.

However Sefton’s second penalty kick made it 15-6 at the break.

They followed that with a well-earned try shortly afterwards, a quick tap penalty reaping dividend.

Underhill landed a three-pointer in reply, adding another minutes later.

Northwich then entered their best spell of the contest, prompted by Matthew Poste at scrum half.

Replacement Gavin Vaughan claimed an opportunist try after following up an Underhill penalty that had dropped wide, crossing the whitewash in the corner.

Poste then pounced on a loose ball at a Sefton scrum, moving the ball wide for Robin Houghton.

He passed to Underhill, whose kick sent in Oultram for his second score.

Houghton claimed s smart try of his own following a swiftly-taken throw-in, Underhill’s extras adding to his team’s tally.

Captain Chris Dale was sent to the sin bin in the closing stages after failing to roll away when Sefton applied pressure to Blacks’ line, and the visitors were duly rewarded with a close-range try.

Northwich Maddocks, James, Grabski, Gavin, Harrison, Collins, Heywood, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Naylor, Houghton, Kania, Oultram, Barber Replacements Thompson, Vaughan, Keller Tries Oultram (2), Naylor, Vaughan, Houghton Cons Underhill (3) Pens Underhill (3)