NORTHWICH RUFC sealed back-to-back wins for the first time this season on Saturday.
They completed a Regional 2 North West 2024/25 double over fellow strugglers Crewe & Nantwich, their latest 31-14 success adding to October’s 25-0 home triumph.
Thanks to Saturday, Blacks leapt above Winnington Park into ninth, going seven points clear of bottom side Eccles who Northwich had beaten 27-13 the week before.
With the absence of Juan Smit and Sili Musawenkosi, Northwich welcomed the return of Tom Husbands who played a pivotal role in securing the victory.
Northwich broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when a lineout on halfway popped up nicely for Tom White who went on a charge up the blind-side.
He broke through the first tackle and C&N were unable to stop him scoring a try that went unconverted.
Five minutes later, C&N nudged in front with a converted try but Blacks responded.
The visitors stole a lineout and went through a series of phases before ever-present Jack Owens crossed for a try which Oscar Malik converted.
Within 10 minutes of the re-start, Northwich extended their lead when they won a lineout and went on the charge close to the C&N line where eventually Quinlan Watson crossed and Malic converted.
At this point the home side raised their game and threw everything at Blacks.
Reward came with 10 minutes remaining, the visitors going down to 14 men following a yellow card shown to Curtis Finnigan.
C&N scored a converted try after a series of attacking scrums and continued to attack at every opportunity as Northwich were forced into a rearguard action.
With the match entering added time Blacks were awarded a penalty much to the relief of the faithful following.
However, the kick was short, and the chasing Husbands gathered the ball went on a run and kicked ahead.
He recovered the ball and MaCoy McGrath was on hand to score the bonus-point try.
There was still time for more and from a scrum the ball was moved to Husbands who kicked ahead and recovered the ball to round off some great wing play.
The extras went begging but the final whistle was blow and the job was done.
Although Northwich were untidy at times, there were some great individual performances - notably man-of-the-match Tshipane Mthembu who worked tirelessly throughout.
This was a dogfight between two struggling teams and Northwich know they will have to be at their best if they are to maintain the current successes when they visit fifth-placed Burnage on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.
