Their route to the try line was repeatedly blocked by resolute opponents who, despite spending the second period penned in their half, pinched the Vase for the first time in more than two decades.
At least Blacks now know their nemesis.
Three times they have lost to their south Cheshire neighbours in league and cup this term but regret over latest reverse will last longest.
This defeat was not deserved.
In the end Will Cargill's late first half penalty separated the teams after they each scored a converted try.
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Sandbach started, and finished, the stronger, touching down on 18 minutes when Alex Reay crossed the line following a lineout deep in Northwich territory. Cargill converted.
On the half hour Richard Dale's break was halted only by a superb saving tackle.
Blacks bounced back on 33 minutes when Graham Robinson powered over from close range after the Northwich pack had forced their counterparts back towards their own line at a scrum.
Stacey Hosking, perhaps playing his final game for the club before a return to Australia, completed kicking formalities to tie the scores.
Cargill kicked a three-pointer three minutes later to complete the scoring for the day but there was drama still to come.
Adam Bown was a certainty to touch down soon after the restart but Hosking's pass fell short, landing almost on the winger's foot, and he knocked on.
Pressure
Dale did go over in the corner following another spell of sustained pressure but referee Andy Dawson pulled play back after touch judge Alan Blackburn spotted the youngster's left foot step over the line in the build up.
Hosking tried twice to score from tricky, long distance penalties only to fall short of the posts before Dale's late last-gasp drop goal attempt clipped the wrong side of the upright.
Referee Andy Dawson blew up the moment the ball bounced on to the ground.
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