IT is not yet time for fanfares, but Northwich now know the advantage is theirs in the title race.

And a Saturday afternoon in Glossop might be the most significant milestone along the way.

Blacks became the first team to beat the Derbyshire outfit on their own pitch in almost a year at the same time closest-rivals West Park came a cropper at Hoylake.

It leaves the table’s top two separated by six points.

Director of rugby Martin Poste had predicted a fierce battle beforehand, and Glossop duly obliged.

The men from Moss Farm led 32-21 by the closing stages, and only settled the outcome when Sam Naylor’s pass invited Richard Dale to claim his third try of the contest.

Nick Baldwin’s extras added gloss to a 15th successive league win for the visitors.

There was still time for Glossop to increase their total with a fine converted try.

They had taken the lead from a penalty in the second minute.

Northwich did not reply until a quarter of an hour had passed, Naylor collecting a ball from the back of a scrum before feeding Matthew Poste who in turn released Dale to score.

Full-back Joel Barber touched down five minutes later from Naylor’s pass after Blacks recycled the ball quickly at a ruck.

Baldwin’s extras made it 12-3.

A second three-pointer cut the deficit, and it was narrowed further when Baldwin’s clearance kick was charged down and an opponent crossed between the posts.

An exchange of penalties left Northwich a point adrift of their hosts at the interval.

That did not change until Baldwin kicked another penalty close to the hour mark.

Blacks added to their advantage after Barber had burst forward from inside his own 22, breaking a tackle before sprinting deep into Glossop territory and off-loading to Dale who had followed in support.

Baldwin then converted.

Barber claimed his second try shortly afterwards, again converted, only for Glossop – beaten only once in 17 home league games since Northwich won at Hargate Hill Lane in November 2014 – to respond with try of their own to keep alive their hopes of a comeback.

Dale dashed them though with his hat-trick score late on.

Next up for Northwich is resurgent Bowdon, victors in three of their past four fixtures, on Saturday week, April 2.

Northwich Grabski, James, Mike Bradshaw, Farley, Smith, Naylor, Heywood, Harrison, Poste, Underhill, Reilly, Baldwin, Richard Dale, Houghton, Barber Replacements Outram, Vaughan, Collins Tries Richard Dale (3), Barber (2) Cons Baldwin (4) Pens Baldwin (2)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood