AFTER their previous match at Moss Farm a month ago, Northwich returned to table’s summit.

No doubt cheered, even Blacks’ most optimistic supporters will not have expected promotion-rivals West Park to lose the next three.

They have, and Martin Poste’s men are nine points ahead of them as a result.

It feels churlish to say they were not at their best in beating Bowdon, recording a 16th successive league win.

The hosts scored seven tries, and had a bonus-point secured inside half an hour.

No matter, for they still had an ear-bashing from the director of rugby during the interval.

“They needed one – they were getting comfy,” he said.

His players, who reached the break 31-5 in front, were told to be more intense.

They duly delivered eight points – a penalty from Nick Baldwin, who then converted a try from full-back Joel Barber – inside four minutes after the restart.

If their display was unkempt in parts, it was also dazzling in others.

One such spell in the first half yielded three tries leaving Bowdon, who arrived in town after amassing 100 points in their previous two fixtures, chasing shadows.

Richard Dale had wriggled clear, after collecting James Underhill’s pass to put the home team ahead inside three minutes.

Baldwin converted.

But Northwich did not go through the gears until after Chris Dale, who benefitted from brilliantly recycled ball following an attacking lineout, added to his brother’s early try.

Baldwin, after converting the captain’s score, sent a penalty attempt narrowly wide.

He did not err when given another chance shortly afterwards.

Blacks, rising from a slumber, then bagged two tries in as many minutes.

The first, a scintillating move that started inside their own 22 following a turnover, saw the ball move slickly through the hands of Chris Dale and Underhill before Richard Dale scampered half the length of the field.

After crossing the whitewash he paused cheekily to wait for Robin Houghton, and the winger touched down.

The second was speedier still.

Matthew Poste kicked forward, inviting Anthony Davies to scorch away from pursuing defenders to claim his first try for the club since a switch from Linley.

Baldwin added extras on both occasions.

Bowdon put their only points on the board when they too easily breached Blacks’ defence in the seconds before half-time.

But Northwich snuffed out any hope of a fight-back with that flurry of points after the restart.

Their most stylish score arrived on 68 minutes, when Barber slalomed his way past a series of tacklers while cutting a straight line through the heart of the visitors’ defence.

Richard Dale sent in Davies for his second try before the finish and Baldwin, from wide on the right, slotted a sixth conversion.

With five games left, they have one hand on the title.

Northwich | Maddock, James, Michael Bradshaw, Farley, Smith, Harrison, Heywood, Chris Dale, Poste, Underhill, Houghton, Richard Dale, Baldwin, Davies, Barber Replacements Vaughan, Chris Bradshaw, Grabski Tries Richard Dale, Chris Dale, Houghton, Davies (2), Barber (2) Cons Baldwin (6) Pens Baldwin (2)