HOYLAKE had the better of their head-to-head with Northwich, who made a losing start to life at a lower level.

The styles were contrasting; the hosts well-drilled and sticking to a game-plan, while Blacks adopted a more cavalier approach as they tried to run the ball when the opportunity arose.

A penalty kick left the visitors adrift, but they rallied.

Kiwi newcomer Dean Kingi closed to within two metres of the Hoylake line before releasing winger Joel Barber.

However his progress was stalled by the referee, the official sending a home team player to the sin bin for interfering at the side of a ruck.

After failing to secure ball from the resulting lineout, Blacks’ chance was gone.

They could not make their extra man count, instead conceding a converted score shortly before the interval while Kingi was in the bin after collapsing a maul.

The second half mirrored the first, with Northwich failing to establish a pattern to their play while the home side controlled possession. 

Hoylake applied pressure to the visitors’ line, but their defence held firm. 

Jack Watts, another new recruit, was next to spend time in the sin bin during a period in which Hoylake added a second try when their fly half made space into which he sent their wide man to score.

Northwich avoided a nilling when James Underhill released Henry Bellis, who in turn supplied a pass for Liam Gavin to touch down.

Northwich Cairns, Dodd, Kingi, Smith, Farley, Jones, McKibbin, Watts, Houghton, Underhill, Barber, Bellis, Gavin, Hughes, Simes Replacements used Cotterill, Cartman, Dutoy Try Gavin.