NORTHWICH thirds were left counting the toll of a meeting with Leek’s seconds last weekend.

A serious knee injury to Ian Haddock cast a shadow over a 38-27 defeat that saw Blacks push their in-form opponents.

Luis Lomas and Liam Marshall were also forced to leave the field before the final whistle.

Kyle Clark’s try, responding to a converted score by the visitors to Moss Farm, was improved by Harry Naylor who himself crossed the whitewash after half an hour.

Haddock resisted an attempt by several opponents to halt his progress when he went over next and Naylor again added the extras.

However Leek, who had amassed more than 150 points on their way to victory in their two previous North West Intermediate League Division Four South fixtures this season, rallied from 19-7 down after the interval.

The visitors had scored five unanswered tries before a shell-shocked Northwich replied when Kenny Oliver went over.

Naylor’s kick completed the scoring for the hosts, who recalled Billy Cole and Tom Williams on an afternoon when they needed every member of a 20-man squad.

The contest also doubled as a first round encounter in the Robinsons Brewery Shield.

Results

North West Intermediate League

Saturday, September 15

Division Two South: Bowdon 2nd 96-0 Winnington Park 2nd; Chester 3rd 32-21 Liverpool St Helens 2nd; Helsby 45-0 Crewe & Nantwich 2nd; Holmes Chapel 16-12 Wirral 3rd; New Brighton 2nd 32-29 Didsbury Toc-H 2nd; Northwich 2nd 17-38 Liverpool Collegiate 2nd; Widnes 2nd 27-24 Whitchurch 2nd

Division Four South: Congleton 2nd 24-24 Oswestry 2nd; Crewe & Nantwich 3rd 26-15 Linley & Kidsgrove 2nd; Macclesfield 4th 14-55 Newcastle-under-Lyme 2nd; Northwich 3rd 26-38 Leek 2nd; Sandbach 3rd w/o Winnington Park 3rd; Whitchurch 3rd 7-81 Bowdon 3rd