MARTIN Poste has said that Northwich Rugby Club’s improvement over the past six weeks means they are not under pressure to beat Douglas on Saturday.

Blacks extended a winning sequence in North One West to five matches following a 47-24 success over Penrith last weekend.

They have climbed to fourth in the table as a reward and trail their hosts on Isle of Man by a single point at kick-off.

“I think it’s a free hit for us,” said the director of rugby.

“Most people will have it down as a home win because of their record there.

“That’s fair enough, but we’re in a good place right now and make the trip as the form side in the division.”

READ > Northwich 47-24 Penrith: match report

Northwich slipped to 11th after a heavy defeat at Stockport last month.

They won only one of their first six matches this season, losing four others, and were 12 points adrift of a promotion play-off place after a 50-26 reverse.

Their improvement will be tested by opponents who have won all six home games to date.

They haven’t lost in front of their own supporters since Vale of Lune, last season’s champions, prevailed on the island back in March.

Blacks are buoyant though after a sparkling half-hour at Moss Farm last weekend yielded five tries.

Poste said: “For 35 minutes, we played probably the most exhilarating rugby since I came here.

“Anybody at this level would have had a problem stopping us – it was a treat.

“After a difficult start to the campaign, it feels like our patience in this side is being rewarded.”