NORTHWICH Rugby Club returned to winning ways when they recorded a comfortable 51-8 victory over bottom-of-the-table whipping boys Kirkby Lonsdale.

Excluding the visitors’ 190-0 thumping a week earlier by Blackburn, Kirkby Lonsdale have been conceding on average 69 points per game so only scoring 51 was a disappointing return by Blacks.

Even the return of several previously absent players did not produce a performance for which the Moss Farm faithful could have expected to witness against the only winless and pointless team in the league.

Instead, a combination of unforced errors and stepping off after the break as they did against Burnage in their previous home match left most of the members on the side lines believing their team underperformed.

Stand-in coach Rich Querelle said: “Our aim was to win and get a try-scoring bonus which we achieved but the performance, especially in the second half, was frantic.

“We made hard work overall against a very committed side but we made too many schoolboy errors and too many opportunities to score more tries went begging.”

Prior to kick off, players and members from both clubs held a minute’s silence in memory of former Northwich chairman Brian Saunt who died the weekend before.

Northwich scored five tries in the first period via scrum-half Liam Batt and a brace each for wingers Tim Wilson and Tom Husband. Skipper Nick Baldwin added three conversions.

After the break, Blacks scored four tries with versatile utility back Wilson and Batt completing hat-tricks, and lock Paddy Douglas adding his name to the scoresheet.

None of the second-half tries were converted.

Kirkby Lonsdale enjoyed too much possession in the second half, their endeavours being rewarded when they scored a try but the missed conversion meant Northwich were able to keep the opposition’s points to single figures for the first time this campaign.

Next up for Northwich is a visit to play table-topping and title favourites Lymm who will be looking to secure promotion in style.