Three points gained, and not two dropped

While it’s true that Northwich led 32-22 heading into the final quarter, they also trailed 14-0 after only 11 minutes.

Following three successive defeats, they reach the end of September with a platform on which to build – and that’s important.

They’d also never previously lost four games in a row with Martin Poste in charge.

It’s rare to see Blacks share the spoils with an opponent too; in fact, that they haven’t done so since an 18-18 draw at Broughton Park in a North One West fixture back in March 2010.

To put that in context Tom Husband, a debutant on the wing at Moss Farm on Saturday, was still at primary school back then.

Is a slow start becoming custom?

There isn’t enough evidence to say as much, at least not yet.

It’s true that Blacks have fallen behind in three of their five league fixtures to date, including two of the past three, but the circumstances have been different.

In-form Burn were surprised at how easy it was to establish a 14-0 advantage on Saturday, Josh Reilly and March Maher running unopposed to the line to score their tries.

Burnage led 17-0 the previous weekend too before Northwich troubled the scorers.

Poste has praised his players’ resilience already this season, and can do after they rallied for him once again.

Of course he’d prefer they didn’t have to, but it will give him succour nonetheless.

Northwich Guardian:

Bud Skinkis tries to escape the attention of two Blackburn defenders after cutting inside off the wing during a Northwich attack. Picture: Ken Houghton

Injuries have caused much disruption

Northwich made six changes, including their entire front row, from a side that started at Burnage only seven days earlier.

With Chris Dale already ruled out, Blacks were shorn of captain Matthew Poste, Joe Maddocks, Ben Ridgway, Robin Houghton and Martin Balshaw because of injury.

That led to four others – Mike Gough, Chris Bradshaw, Richard Hart and Tom Husband – making their first start of the season.

To compound matters, an enforced reshuffle in the second-half led to Sam Naylor finishing the game at scrum-half.

It is hard to gather momentum, and to be cohesive, when players are occupying unfamiliar positions to cover a missing teammate.

Fortunately, a fortnight’s rest awaits.

A diminished forward line to face Blackburn (again)

The sight of props Joe Maddocks and Ben Ridgway, unable to play because of injury and illness respectively, stood next to each other watching the action embodied what Blacks were missing.

Poste preferred to save Conor Lapniewski so he could make an impact later, meaning he fielded a front row of Adam Bennett, Mike Gough and Chris Bradshaw.

That trio has never played together, and the latter isn’t a specialist at prop.

Burn’s most recent meeting with Northwich, at a snowy Ramsgreave Drive back in January, saw them dominate at set-pieces – particularly the scrum – to run out comfortable victors.

They did so once more, although without converting it into points.

In praise of Tom Husband

Martin Poste has proven he will put faith in youth after promoting Tom Clark to the first team this season.

Another promising colt, Tom Husband, enjoyed a debut to remember after scoring two tries – both of them with impressive composure.

His speed of thought surprised the visitors on 26 minutes, collecting the ball at a breakdown before darting to the line.

He then showed a clinical edge to double his personal tally at a crucial moment in the contest, finishing a blistering counter led by Richard Dale with support from Sam Naylor.

The Sir John Deane’s College student received an award at the end of last season to recognise his improvement with the under 18s.

There is more to come.

Northwich Guardian:

Teenager Tom Husband touches down a try for Northwich on his debut for the first-team during a 32-32 draw with Blackburn on Saturday. Picture: Ken Houghton