NORTHWICH RUFC have secured their Regional 2 North West status for next season.
Their 45-22 success at cellar dwellers Eccles on Saturday means they will finish the 2024/25 campaign no lower than fourth from bottom.
With the bottom two facing the potential of relegation, Blacks were still under threat heading into Saturday’s clash.
Without the services of Tom White, Tom Husbands and Harry Naylor, the coaching staff had to make some adjustments but Northwich were confident that they could do the job and deliver the necessary result.
That belief proved to be for good reason as Blacks got away from the hosts in the second half, after leading 24-17 at the break.
As the frantic pace continued, from an attacking lineout the ball was moved wide where a neat inside pass found Musawenkosi Sili to cross the line.
Five minutes later Jack Owens broke the line and slick handling found Anthony Keller who scored a well-deserved try which was converted by Oscar Malik.
The hosts pulled a try back but with only five minutes remaining a quick tap penalty was taken and the ball moved wide for Thabang Morudu to score Northwich’s seventh try which Malik converted.
In the first half, Northwich’s tries came from Curtis Finnigan, Quinlan Watson with a 70-metre interception and a second effort from a scrum move, and Levy Nzougou after an improvised lineout initially gave Rory Leijdekkers the opportunity to charge for the line.
It was two tries in the last five 5 minutes of the first half that allowed Eccles to stay in touch, all to no avail in the end.
There were some fine performances for Northwich in this entertaining but scrappy match.
Man-of-the-match Juan Smit made huge inroads every time he had the ball, Watson was at the heart of everything and Patrick Douglas carried with purpose and desire.
The coaching team, players and the faithful can breathe a little easier now as they look forward to the final match of the campaign at home to fourth-placed Vale of Lune on Saturday, April 5, kick-off 3pm.
Meanwhile, Winnington Park still have a battle on their hands to avoid the drop to Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire playing against the likes of New Brighton, Broughton Park, Aldwinians and Wilmslow.
Park were defeated 38-14 at Douglas on the Isle of Man on Saturday, leaving them four points clear of Crewe & Nantwich going into the last weekend of the season.
Their result at seventh-placed Altrincham Kersal on April 5, along with Crewe’s outcome at home to eighth-placed Widnes, will determine who joins Eccles in being relegated.
