NO rival has run Northwich closer on their march to the title.

Blacks’ lead was worth three points entering the closing stages of a contest they expected to be difficult.

They were as relieved as they were happy when scrum-half Matthew Poste chased his own kick deep into Anselmians territory, punishing a defender’s handling error when he failed to gather.

Nick Baldwin’s conversion was the final kick of the match.

It leaves the men from Moss Farm 11 points clear at the table’s summit with four matches left.

The first of those is against Wigan this Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Northwich trailed at the weekend when Josh Jones forced his way over and Simon Mason converted.

The visitors replied from the restart, Joel Barber breaking forward after gathering the kick before sending in Richard Dale for the first of his three tries.

Baldwin added the extras.

Mason’s penalty put the Saints back in front, if only briefly.

Dale soon crossed for his second score, receiving a pass from Baldwin following Chris Dale’s initial charge forward.

And he completed an impressive treble when sprinting half the length of the field to touch down following a turnover.

Baldwin’s kick made it 19-10, although another Mason three-pointer closed the gap.

Northwich made sure of a bonus point in first-half stoppage time when Robin Houghton gave chase to his own hack downfield, winning a foot-race to touch down.

Baldwin’s boot did the rest.

He was on target again with a penalty early in the second period, although Anselmians rallied.

Their cause was helped by Barber and Sam Naylor spending time in the sin-bin, and they used their numerical advantage to send in Joe Loxham.

Mason’s skilful cross-kick was an assist for Loxham to score again, and a conversion reduced the gap to four points.

Baldwin landed back-to-back penalties to ease Northwich nerves, although Mason conjured another converted try when he passed to Adam Bramhall.

Poste’s moment of magic settled the outcome, kicking cleverly before prompting a mistake that ended Saints’ hopes of halting their guests’ winning sequence.

Instead it now stands at 17 matches.

Northwich | Maddocks, James, Grabski, Farley, Smith, Chris Dale, Heywood, Naylor, Poste, Underhill, Richard Dale, Baldwin, Reilly, Houghton, Barber Replacements Harrison, Vaughan, Davies Tries Richard Dale (3), Houghton, Poste Cons Baldwin (4) Pens Baldwin (3)