WHEN players from both sides wince upon hearing the final whistle, with scores level, then the result is probably right.

After three successive defeats, Northwich have some respite.

Meanwhile Blackburn arrived at Moss Farm with the same number of wins behind them, and departed feeling more rankled than their hosts.

The visitors led 14-0 inside 11 minutes after Frank Nickson and then Marc Maher had waltzed over the whitewash with next to no opposition.

Alex Taylorson converted their tries.

Burn, anticipating a stroll in the Moss Farm sunshine, then simply stopped.

They lost focus, and discipline too, and were punished.

Northwich, depleted badly by injuries and forced to make six changes to a side that had started at Burnage seven days earlier, remain a resilient bunch.

Adam Bennett barged over from close range to spark their revival, and Nick Baldwin added the extras.

A sign of their growing confidence followed when Tom Husband, a teenager making his debut on the wing, showed sharpness of mind and fleet of foot to scamper to the line.

And when Chris James touched down shortly afterwards, a third try inside a 10-minute spell, Burn teetered.

They steadied themselves in the nick of time, and Taylorson landed a penalty to narrow a Northwich lead to two points at the break.

Burn regrouped, and Oli Yates scorched to the line for his second try after they created an overlap on the left early in the second-half.

However ill-discipline cost them again and two players, Corey Logan followed by Ed Sinclair three minutes later, were sent to the bin.

It acted as a spur for Blacks, and Baldwin slotted a three-pointer to level at 22-22.

The home team then scored their best try of the contest, Husband gliding to the line at the end of a move started by Richard Dale tapping a penalty before charging deep into opposition territory.

He off-loaded to Sam Naylor in support, who in turn passed to the youngster promoted from Northwich’s colts side.

After converting, Baldwin kicked another penalty before the away side were restored to their full complement to establish a 10-point lead.

To their credit, Blackburn – beaten on visits in each of the past two seasons – demonstrated their resolve.

Encouraged by evidence Northwich were starting to tire, they applied pressure that yielded two tries - for Josh Reilly and then Jamie Brookes - in the corner.

However, crucially for the outcome, Taylorson could convert neither.

Northwich | Bennett, Gough, Bradshaw, Heywood, Ensor, Naylor, James, Richard Dale, Hart, Baldwin, Skinkis, Underhill, Barber, Husband, Du Randt Replacements Lapniewski, Keller, Clark Tries Bennett, Husband (2), James Cons Baldwin (3) Pens Baldwin (2)