THE Christmas break looks to have come at a good time for Northwich RUFC.

They slipped to a third defeat in a row on Saturday as Kendal left Moss Farm with a 22-15 victory and while they did not come away from the game empty-handed, Blacks were left to count the cost of a mounting injury list.

With no fixture now until the new year, it is hoped they will be able to attack the second portion of the season with restocked resources.

In what was a classic “game of two halves,” the visitors had the run of things early on having got the scoreboard moving with an early penalty, keeping hold of possession and finally breaking through the home defence for an unconverted try on 22 minutes.

From the restart, Kendal broke through from their own 22 to touch down between the sticks, leaving Northwich staring down the barrel of a 15-0 deficit.

It was a long way back, but they took the first step five minutes before half time when Harry Naylor took a quick-tap penalty and fed Eon Du Preez, who charged over for an unconverted try.

Blacks started the second half still trailing by 10 points, but they had halved the deficit within five minutes of the restart when Andre Nell finished off a sustained attack to cross the whitewash.

Just five minutes later, however, Kendal touched down for their third try to move back into a 12-point lead and leave their hosts with a mountain to climb.

There was still time for Northwich to at least come away with a losing bonus point – for that, they needed another try.

Zac Richardson had a score controversially ruled out, but it finally came late on when Logan Mitchell broke through midfield and fed Boitumelo Tsatsane, who scored a deserved try.

There was still time on the clock for the hosts to try and salvage a draw, but Kendal held on to claim the victory.

Blacks’ next game is on Saturday, January 6, when they make the trip north to Penrith.

Northwich: Taylor Haugh; Austin Fernandez, Boitumelo Tsatsane, Zac Richardson, Logan Mitchell; Liam Batt, Harry Naylor; Patrick Douglas, Eon Du Preez, Rory Leijdekkers, Sam Patterson, Andre Nell, Sam Naylor, Joe Christian, Richard Dale. Subs: Callum Hulbert, Charlie Bancroft, Eli Brizendine