Advantage Northwich?  Yes, for now

Northwich have recorded wins on successive weekends which, coupled with their rivals losing points picked up against St Benedicts following the Cumbrian outfit’s withdrawal, leaves them clear in second spot.

Only Wilmslow can catch them.

A distance between the teams is eight points, although Blacks’ rivals have a game in hand.

They ran out 26-5 victors at Blackburn on Saturday, a result that eliminates the Lancashire club from a race for the promotion play-off place.

Northwich travel next to champions Vale of Lune, who proved they are in no mood to slow down after putting more than 70 points on the board at Warrington.

Wilmslow host Manchester, opponents who remain in danger of being relegated.

A return to Fortress Moss Farm

Northwich played on their main pitch for only the third occasion since the turn of the year, and for the first time in six weeks.

They had lost two of their previous three North One West fixtures on their alternative paddock behind the former swimming pool building at Moss Farm.

It might have been a hat-trick of defeats there had they not rallied late to edge out Altrincham in February.

Normal service was resumed in more familiar surroundings, and curiously Blacks have won five of the six league games they have completed on official home turf.

Only Vale of Lune, the newly-crowned champions have put a blemish on that record.

In praise of Conor Lapniewski

The former Winnington Park man has been on an upward trajectory for a while, although his was a ‘coming of age’ performance at this level.

He was impressive both in and out of possession, and only an injury sustained during the closing stages prevented him from being on the field with his teammates when the final whistle sounded.

The former Weaverham High School student, who represented Cheshire as a junior, has had to adapt to life at a higher level as well as adjusting to the demands of playing at prop.

His adaptability has included a switch to hooker since the turn of the year – a role director of rugby Martin Poste has been seeking to fill long-term since a serious injury to Chris James last season created a vacancy.

Northwich Guardian:

Conor Lapniewski in possession for Northwich during a league meeting with promotion play-off rivals Wilmslow earlier this season. Picture: Ken Houghton

Durability, and fortitude, in defence

Stockport’s pack, bigger and stronger than the home team’s forward-line, played a pivotal role as the visitors subjected Northwich’s defence to the sternest of examinations.

During an opening quarter-hour that yielded two converted tries, they threatened to derail Blacks completely.

Joel Barber’s try-saving intervention, when former Toulon captain Dean Schofield appeared a certain scorer for the visitors, was a catalyst for Northwich.

They repeatedly defied their guests within metres of the whitewash, assisted occasionally by a ball carrier’s poor decision-making.

Only two teams, Vale of Lune and Blackburn, can boast of a better defensive record.

That statistic is more significant considering Blacks’ average tally per game – 22 this term compared to 32.5 last year – is much lower.

On a single occasion this season, against Burnage back in September, have they scored more than 35 points.

Northwich’s ongoing improvement in context

Stockport and Firwood Waterloo were relegated from National League Three North last season, and Northwich have prevailed in all four meetings with those two teams.

The previous campaign, when Martin Poste steered Blacks to the South Lancs/Cheshire Division One title, the Blundellsands outfit had classified fourth in the same section while Stockport ranked 11th.

Whatever happens this month, the men from Moss Farm will finish above both clubs for the first time in their history.

While Stockport and Waterloo are rebuilding from wreckage caused by being demoted, Northwich can make a case that they have now established themselves again as a force in North One West following four years away.