Midlands One West
Northwich 42
Camp Hill 8

WHEN these two teams last met, it was the first defeat in a sequence of 10 for league newcomers Northwich.

This victory on Saturday proved symmetrical in changing that statistic, although Blacks will be hoping their next run of results are similar to this one.

Steve Campbell was the star of the show for Northwich, scoring a hat-trick of tries.

Key to that was an enforced change, following Grant Sneddon’s withdrawal, which left Robin Houghton at scrum half with Gareth Davies adjusting as number 10.

Their combination proved a platform for Blacks’ best attacks.

The hosts led inside five minutes, Henry Bellis spotting a gap in the defence through which he darted to score.

Andy Chubb added the extras.

He slotted a penalty to extend his team’s lead, shortened when Camp Hill kicked a three-pointer.

Campbell touched down the first of this personal try tally soon afterwards, Chubb missing the conversion only to make amends when kicking another penalty.

Next to score was Ryan McKibbin, barging over following a trademark blitz past opposing defenders before Liam Gavin’s try left Blacks 28-3 ahead at half time.

The pattern did not deviate in the second half, Campbell notching again next for Northwich.

Camp Hill responded, applying pressure to Blacks’ backline for the next 25 minutes although without a reward for their effort.

Sam Naylor’s men showed them how it should be done, Houghton pouncing on a loose ball to begin a passage of play that ended with Campbell’s third, and best, score.

Chubb’s conversion completed a fine afternoon’s work for the home team who, despite conceding a late unconverted try, recorded their biggest win since switching to Midlands One West last summer.

A trip to third-placed Lichfield this Saturday, kick off 3pm, is likely to provide a sterner test of Blacks’ improvement.

Northwich Dodd, Eaves, Fallows, Heywood, Last, Smith, Naylor, McKibbin, Houghton, Davies, Legg, Campbell, Bellis, Chubb, Gavin. Replacements used Cartman, Elliott, Farley. Tries Campbell (3), Bellis, McKibbin, Gavin. Cons Chubb (3). Pen Chubb (2).