NORTHWICH RUFC edged home against Sandbach 21-18 in persistent rain on Saturday.
Although their nearest opposition are Winnington Park, Blacks have always looked upon the Sandbach matches as a ‘derby’.
Northwich, although having a couple of notable absentees, were buoyed by the return of Richard Dale who had missed the start of the campaign due to injury.
Dale showed he had been missed as he turned in a man-of-the-match performance in the Regional 2 North West encounter.
For the first 25-minutes this was a toe-to toe affair as both teams search for a breakthrough.
Blacks started the stronger as the visitors took time to get into their stride and scored first when from a turnover they were able to release Byron Read into a gap for a neat score. Zak Richardson added the extras.
It took another 12-minutes before the scoreboard needed activating for the only other time in the first period.
Sandbach were awarded a penalty for not releasing and kicked the penalty.
Within five minutes of the second half the visitors closed the gap with another penalty and soon took the lead with another for not releasing.
The match was at a stalemate until Northwich, on the back of a penalty, kicked into the corner, drove for the line and gained a penalty try.
Sandbach narrowed the lead with another fine penalty kick but with 15 minutes remaining the faithful were able to relax a little.
With Northwich in possession a ruck formed, and Nat Stafford spotted a gap and started a run for the line and his pass enabled the supporting Tyreek Naicker to score between the posts for Richardson to convert.
The next 10 minutes were an assault on the Northwich line and two further penalty kicks narrowed the gap to three points.
The pressure on the Northwich line was intense, but the defensive line held firm.
The coaching team were delighted with the effort of their charges.
The excellent scrummaging and lineout in atrocious conditions were of note, as was the direct running led by Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo, Juan Smit and Rory Leijdekkers. Northwich, sixth on the ladder, will next be in action away to second-from-bottom Altrincham Kersal on October 4 at 3pm.
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