NORTHWICH'S display in Saturday's 64-7 home loss to Rossendale was a repeat of the previous week.

Blacks seem to be competitive, without making any real impression, in the first half only to then fade in the second.

Injuries and unavailabilities have been an issue for coach Andy Roberts, who was pleased to have Chris and Richard Dale back in the fold for this encounter along with Scott Davidson.

However, Josh Warburton, Rory Williams, Sam Naylor and skipper Nick Baldwin were absent.

Most players at the club continue to relish the opportunity to compete with some well organised and accomplished teams this season in the North Premier, the highest level Northwich have reached.

And they did so against one of the longest established teams in the division, Rossendale, who Blacks last met the season they gained promotion to their current level.

The visitors scored four tries in the first half, two of which were converted.

With the first try scored after just three minutes it looked like it would be one-way traffic all afternoon.

This was not the case as Blacks enjoyed plenty of possession and territory.

The highlight was a nice break from Harry Naylor, taking them close to the line, but getting no reward.

Nevertheless there was a glimmer of optimism for the faithful to latch on to going into the second half.

Two converted tries for the visitors early in the second half extinguished any hope Blacks may have had.

Despite the efforts of Northwich they were unable to halt the advances of a buoyant Rossendale team.

Three further converted tries took the game to the 75th minute when some quick hands gave Husbands the gap to exploit and score a well deserved try which he converted.

Rossendale completed the scoring with a final unconverted try in stoppage time.

Despite the scoreline, Roberts was pleased with the efforts of the players especially Harry Naylor and Harley Aston who proved to be an encouraging half-back partnership.

Northwich visit neighbours Winnington Park in the Cheshire Vase quarter-finals on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Northwich: 1 Tom Wilson, 2 Fraser Dodd, 3 Mark Thompson, 4 Chris Heywood, 5 Tom Clark, 6 Aaron Collins, 7 Anthony Keller, 8 Chris Dale, 9 Harry Naylor, 10 Harley Aston, 11 Kyle Clarke, 12 James Weeks, 13 Joel Barber, 14 Tom Merrick, 15 Tom Husbands. Replacements: 16 Richard Dale, 17 Scott Davidson, 18 Ben Ridgway.