NORTHWICH RUFC’S final match of 2021 ended up being a familiar tale.

While there was plenty for Blacks to be encouraged by, the gulf in quality proved once again to be too great as they were beaten 66-5 at Macclesfield.

Indeed, the hosts showed just why they are in a rich vein of form and having soaked up what the visitors had to throw at them, they demonstrated their ruthlessness.

The result means Blacks enter 2022 still looking for their first North Premier win, with their first game of the new year seeing them host Sandal on January 8.

After Macclesfield had opened the scoring with a penalty, Northwich had plenty of possession and their followers sensed a breakthrough.

Rory Williams, Ellis Vickery and Chris Heywood were asking questions of the home side, but they remained unfazed and ran in four converted tries to give them a comfortable 31-0 lead at the break.

Having started the second half well, however, Blacks did finally get the breakthrough as Heywood crossed following some excellent lineout work.

Unfortunately, that only served to kick Macclesfield into a higher gear and they ran in a further five tries – all of which were converted – to complete an emphatic victory.