New Brighton 22 Northwich 27

NORTHWICH claimed a first away victory of the campaign on Saturday, rising to fourth in the table as a reward.

And if they can extend a winning sequence at Moss Farm to four matches this weekend, when Douglas are their guests, they will climb further.

Northwich - fixtures and results

As they did against Manchester seven days earlier, Blacks began at a blistering pace.

However they had to wait until the 17th minute to break through, this time when James Underhill kicked a penalty after the hosts had strayed offside.

They did not add to their tally despite applying pressure, and New Brighton opened their account after pinching possession at a lineout.

After being held up just short of the line, they recycled the ball quickly to set up their full back for an easy run to the line.

Northwich replied before the break when Joel Barber touched down, Underhill adding the extras.

The men from Moss Farm edged further ahead before the interval, prompted by Chris Dale’s charge following a lineout.

He off-loaded to Sam Naylor, who touched down before Underhill again kicked a conversion to make it 17-7.

New Brighton reduced their arrears at the start of the second half with a penalty of their own after Blacks were caught offside.

However Northwich scored next, making the most of a turnover ball.

Following a series of charges, a neat inside pass sent Richard Dale clear to score.

The home team refused to relent, sensing a weakness in their guests’ front row following the departure of prop Rob Grabski.

When Blacks conceded a penalty close to their line, New Brighton requested a scrum.

After three attempts, they claimed a converted score to re-open the contest.

Underhill kept calm to convert a penalty that established again a 10-point gap, although the home team used a maul from close range to create a gap on the blind side which they exploited to add another try to their tally.

But Northwich held on, securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

The distance to leaders West Park, the only side still to boast a perfect record, is eight points.

Northwich Thompson, McGuiness, Grabski, Heywood, Gavin, James, Naylor, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Reilly, Richard Dale, Houghton, Outram, Barber Replacements Vaughan, Lloyd, Kania Tries Barber, Richard Dale, Naylor Cons Underhill (3) Pens Underhill (2)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood