AS omens go, this is one to take note of.

Northwich extended a winning run to 13 league matches at Port-e-Chee on Saturday, a sequence they have not managed in almost a decade.

On the previous occasion, they were promoted from South Lancs/Cheshire Division One as champions.

That remains their objective, although closest rivals West Park reduced Blacks’ lead at the table’s summit to four points after beating New Brighton.

The St Helens outfit also have two games in hand.

Northwich at least avenged a defeat on Isle of Man in last season’s corresponding fixture, overcoming what director of rugby Martin Poste predicted beforehand would be a formidable obstacle.

Douglas had won seven of their nine home league matches this term, and made their guests work to become the third team to leave as victors.

Points were hard to come by on a wet, heavy surface.

The home team edged ahead with a successful penalty kick, cancelled out by a Blacks reply before the break.

Nick Baldwin struck a three-pointer for the visitors early in the second half, and Northwich continued to apply pressure.

They earned reward when man-of-the-match Richard Dale claimed two excellent tries, neither converted, to establish for his side a 16-3 lead.

A second penalty for the hosts followed before Dave Farley completed the scoring with a third try for Poste’s men.

The contest entered its most open period in the closing stages, but Northwich – for whom newcomer Mike Bradshaw was impressive on his first-team debut – could not pinch a fourth score.

“We have to be happy,” said Poste afterwards.

“This is a place Northwich have struggled at in previous seasons, and we needed to put that right.

“Nothing was left to chance in our preparation, and we got it right on the field on the day.

“Douglas are a completely different proposition on their own pitch – their home record backs that up – and you don’t leave there with a win unless you’ve worked to earn it."

Northwich Mike Bradshaw, James, Maddocks, Farley, Chris Bradshaw, Heywood, Naylor, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Outram, Reilly, Richard Dale, Houghton, Barber Replacements Harrison, Vaughan, Baldwin Tries Richard Dale (2), Farley Pens Underhill, Baldwin