TO be in the hunt at the final whistle after having trailed 17-0 in the first half will tell boss Martin Poste his side are not that far off getting things right.

By the time of the final quarter’s arrival Northwich were in front and it was only six minutes from time that the hosts registered the decisive points.

Blacks will not want to be giving away head starts like this though as they ultimately fell to a third successive loss in North One West.

Northwich were in no doubts about the enormity of the challenge, with recent visits having produced extremely tough contests.

And it only took one minute for the home side to get on the board.

A penalty for offside presented Burnage with the easiest of kicks.

It was against the run of play that the home side demonstrated what an attacking force they can be and in the 17th minute they produced a counter attack of real quality to score a fine converted try.

Still reeling from this score, Blacks were stung again from the restart as Burnage's great skill and purpose was rewarded with another seven points.

Stunned into action, Blacks began to assert themselves and on the half-hour were rewarded.

Richard Dale picked up from the base of a scrum and drove for the line.

At the ruck Matt Poste collected the ball and forced himself over, with Nick Baldwin converting.

With the half drawing to a close Blacks were given a penalty opportunity when Burnage were caught offside and Baldwin was on target to cut the arrears to seven points.

Ten minutes into the second half narrowed the deficit further with another penalty but better was to come.

Joel Barber made a decisive break from inside his own 22 and carried the ball deep into the Burnage half before providing quick ball for Baldwin to kick across to Hayden Skinkis who showed great composure to regather and score.

The extras went begging but Blacks held the lead for the first time although Burnage went back in front with a penalty kick.

A third Baldwin penalty restored Northwich's one-point lead but two minutes later Burnage struck what proved to be the killer blow.

After gathering a clearance kick, they showed class in completing a fine move with a converted try.

The remaining minutes were a stalemate giving the home side a deserved victory.

Northwich | Maddocks, Lapniewski, Ridgway, Heywood, Ensor, Balshaw, Naylor, Richard Dale, Poste, Baldwin,  Houghton, Barber, Underhill, Skinkis, Du Randt Replacements Clark, James, Gough Tries Poste, Skinkis Con Baldwin Pens Baldwin (3)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood