WHISPER it in Martin Poste’s company, but Northwich are fast turning into contenders for promotion.

Blacks’ director of rugby saw his side extend a winning sequence to four matches on Saturday, closing a gap to leaders West Park to eight points.

Fourth-placed Glossop visit Moss Farm this weekend to test the strength of the hosts’ resurgence.

They were too good for back-markers Hoylake, running in six tries to record their biggest win of the season.

James Underhill kicked a brace of penalties, the first following a handling offence and the second after an offside call, to establish an early lead.

A first try followed when Sam Naylor, Chris Bradshaw and Richard Dale combined to release Joel Barber, who tempted out the last defender before sending in Robin Houghton to score.

Underhill duly added the extras.

Blacks went further ahead after a flowing team move that ended with Naylor’s fine assist for Liam Gavin to cross in the corner.

Underhill improved the visitors’ advantage, which grew when scrum half Matthew Poste took a quick tap penalty before feeding Naylor.

He kicked on for Gavin, and an inside pass delivered to supporting Chris Heywood allowed him to touch down.

A third conversion for Underhill made it 27-0.

And Northwich secured a bonus point at the start of the second half, again after Poste was alert to take a penalty swiftly and Barber increased their points tally.

Contest over, Blacks took their foot off the gas.

They did not score again until five minutes left, when replacement Dave Farley caught a lineout ball and launched a drive towards the line.

Pressure from the forwards yielded a try for Chris James, converted by Richard Dale.

Hoylake notched a consolation in reply, their right winger the recipient of a pass after a teammate carried the ball up the blind side.

Northwich had the final say when they stole possession at a scrum during stoppage time.

James, after picking up, fed Houghton who led a break that concluded with Barber claiming a simple touchdown.

Richard Dale’s extras completed a comprehensive victory.

Northwich Grabski, James, Maddocks, Heywood, Bradshaw, Gavin, Naylor, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Reilly, Richard Dale, Outram, Houghton, Barber Replacements Cartman, Farley, Thompson Tries Houghton, Gavin, Heywood, Barber (2), James Cons Underhill (3), Richard Dale (2) Pens Underhill (2)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood