NORTHWICH were almost rewarded for a stunning second-half fight-back that saw them score four tries in the final 15 minutes.

Had Nick Baldwin converted the last of those, dotted down by Robin Houghton in the corner, they would have stolen maximum points from their hosts.

The circumstances had been near identical on Blacks’ previous visit almost two years earlier when the stand-off’s kick struck an upright and they lost 26-24.

Boosted by the return of Will Du Randt and Robin Houghton, and with new recruit Matt Ensor making his first start, Martin Poste’s men began brightly on Saturday.

They took the lead when Baldwin’s kick cross-field reached Bud Skinkis and he did the rest.

Houghton got in on the act midway through the opening period after pressure applied by Richard Dale and Skinkis had secured at attacking lineout close to Birkenhead Park’s line.

Following a number of forward drives, Baldwin’s miss pass reached Houghton who touched down.

Park responded emphatically and scrum-half Sam Chidley spun away from the back of a ruck to claim a first try converted by Dave Hall.

They scored again 10 minutes later after Jack Ashcroft made up ground following a lineout before inviting prop Peter Doolan, who was in support, to touch down.

Hall added the extras, and before the break stand-off Will Titherington also crossed the line.

A successful conversion left Northwich 21-10 adrift.

Park took that momentum into the second-half and Josh Smith secured a bonus-point with a fourth try that Hall improved.

And he remained reliable after number eight Ollie Mabbott had broken away from a five-metre scrum to add to the hosts’ advantage, making it 35-10.

Northwich didn’t wilt, and Richard Dale’s try kick-started their recovery.

They repeated the trick from the restart, and Tom Clark’s speed took him to the whitewash for their fourth score.

Baldwin converted.

When another try followed, this time scored by Du Randt, Baldwin’s kick reduced the deficit to six points.

Houghton went over after the ball was moved wide from a scrum, and the spectators held their breath before Baldwin’s difficult conversion attempt sailed wide.

Northwich | Maddocks, Lapniewski, Ridgeway, Heywood, Ensor, Balshaw, Clark, Richard Dale, Poste, Baldwin, Houghton, Barber, Underhill, Skinkis, Du Randt Replacements Bennett, James, Chris Dale Tries Skinkis, Houghton (2), Richard Dale, Clark, Du Randt Cons Baldwin (2)

Match report by Steve Wood