SKIPPER Rory Leijdekkers scampered over for a late try as Northwich overcame Anselmians 29-28 at home, marking the debuts of Austin Fernandez and Boitumelo Tsatsane.

The Wirral outfit were promoted to this division following an outstanding season during which they dumped Northwich out of the Cheshire Cup, so Blacks, who were without Tom Clark and Richard Dale, knew this would be a tough encounter.

After an exchange of penalty goals, as the 20-minute mark approached Jack England went on a charge and released Liam Batt to score a fine try which he duly converted.

The response from Anselmians came with another penalty success.

Eli Brizendine showed his pace to score another Northwich try which Batt converted.

The visitors reduced the arrears once again with a penalty as the half ended with Northwich leading 17-9.

The home side continued to be beset with discipline issues, leading to an overall 26-6 count against them.

Eventually the price was paid when Aaron Collins received a yellow card following a team warning from the referee.

Anselmians took advantage scoring two tries, only one of which was converted.

With 65 minutes gone a moment of brilliance came from Taylor Haugh.

He chipped over the oncoming defence to recover the ball and sprinted 50 metres to score close to the posts, giving Batt the easiest of conversions.

With 80 minutes gone the home side were stunned when the never-say-die Anselmians scored a converted try to wrestle the lead back.

But this excellent match was still not over.

Skipper Leijdekkers threw to the front of an attacking lineout and following an exchange with Eon Du Preez he went over for the killer try.

A late penalty attempt by the visitors sailed tantalizingly close to the posts but wide.

Northwich travel to Kendal on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Northwich: Taylor Haugh, Eli Brizendine, Boitumelo Tsatsane, Logan Mitchell, Jack Qwen, Liam Batt, Austin Fernandez, Gabriel Sipapate, Eon Du Preez, Rory Leijdekkers, Patrick Douglas, Sam Patterson, Aaron Collins, Stephen Christian, Jack England. Replacements: Tom Husband, Callum Hulbert, Richard Hart.