IMPROVING Northwich seconds moved further away from the Division Two South drop zone after recording a third win from their past four matches on Saturday.

They squeezed past Caldy thirds 12-5 at Moss Farm, avenging a 31-12 defeat in the return fixture back in October.

It leaves Blacks six points clear of bottom two with 10 games left to play.

In the same section, Winnington Park seconds suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season following a 45-5 reverse at home to Chester thirds.

Gareth Williams crossed for the hosts, who are now 13 points adrift of second spot.

Northwich thirds’ position in Division Four South remains precarious following a 36-0 loss at their promotion-chasing Whitchurch counterparts on Saturday.

Winnington Park thirds took over top spot in Division Five South after winning a head-to-head with title-rivals Helsby.

Jim Fowler touched down early on for the visitors, but they could not convert.

The home team replied with a penalty to trail 5-3 at the interval.

In the second period, Cameron Flanagan kicked a pair of three-pointers for Park to add to their slender advantage.

Helsby claimed a try though with eight minutes left, and applied pressure on Winnington’s defensive line for the remainder of a close contest.

However they could not find a way through.

With six games left, Clinton du Plessis’ in-form side lead the way by three points.

Results

North West Intermediate League

Division Two South: Northwich 2nd 12 Caldy 3rd 5; Winnington Park 2nd 5 Chester 3rd 45

Division Four South: Whitchurch 3rd 36 Northwich 3rd 0

Division Five South: Helsby 8 Winnington Park 3rd 11