Bowdon 13 Northwich 24

NORTHWICH secured a sixth successive league win on Saturday but could not hide their disappointment at missing out on a bonus point at Bowdon.

It keeps Blacks third in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

With just one minute gone, a Bowdon player was penalised for not releasing.

Matthew Poste pounced on the opportunity and took a quick tap to release Joel Barber, whose timely pass to Andy Outram allowed the winger to outstrip the defence and score a try for James Underhill to convert.

Seven minutes later the home side scored a penalty when Blacks were penalised for handling in the ruck.

The next 10 minutes were a stalemate with Blacks failing to make decisive use of the possession they had.

It took an Underhill penalty to steady things down and re-establish the seven-point margin.

With a lineout deep in Bowdon territory, Northwich eventually took control.

A well-worked set piece allowed Chris Dale to peel off the lineout and draw the defence, he then delivered an inside pass to the supporting Chris James to score close to the sticks.

Underhill added the extras.

The remainder of the half was a tale of missed opportunities and while some credit must go to Bowdon for their dogged defence and ambition with ball in hand, Blacks failed to cement their superiority.

Within four minutes of the restart, Northwich were back in business.

Some great work in the backs by Richard Dale provided a well-timed pass to Robin Houghton, who drew his opposite number and kicked ahead.

Northwich recycled the ruck ball and Poste fed Sam Naylor for him to outstrip the last defender and score a fine try.

Underhill added the extras and it looked like five points would be achieved. However, Northwich could not deliver the required try to seal the deal.

A couple of opportunities slipped by the wayside, but it was the hosts who rallied in the final 10 minutes.

The first score came when a deep defensive kick from Barber was gathered for Bowdon to counter.

For once the Blacks defence failed to deal with the attack and the home side moved the ball quickly and accurately to score a very good try.

The conversion was missed but the gap was narrowed.

With the final whistle beckoning Bowdon were awarded a series of penalties, one of which led to a yellow card for Chris Dale, and stretched the defence to score in the corner.

Northwich Grabski, James, Thompson, Heywood, Bradshaw, Gavin. Naylor, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Reilly, Richard Dale, Outram, Houghton, Barber Replacements Cartman, Vaughan, Cooke

Additional reporting by Steve Wood