Northwich lose to Douglas in Regional 2 North West

They came home beaten 30-21 on a day when the lead exchanged hands several times.

There were some positives to take from the match, not least the set play and the performance of man-of-the-match Tyreek Naicker who worked tirelessly throughout. 

Although Northwich were without Nat Stafford, Ethan Ayers, Levy Nzoungou, Alex Speakman and Richard Dale, there was a welcome return for Oscar Malik and it was considered a strong side selected by Blacks.

However, the match did not go to script for Northwich at the Manxmen’s Port-e-Chee stronghold.

The home side took first blood after just two minutes with an unconverted try.

The next 15 minutes were a stalemate, until the visitors scored an unconverted try through Toby Moss.

Five minutes later another unconverted try was scored through Byron Read, who had entered the fray following a shoulder injury to Zac Richardson.

This injury had meant a reshuffle in the backs that required Malik to switch to scrum-half.

In the last five minutes of the half Douglas bagged a converted try and a penalty to take a 15-10 lead into the break.

Two Northwich penalties from the boot of Malik delivered Northwich a one-point advantage.

With 20 minutes remaining Douglas regained the lead with an unconverted try.

Ten minutes later the lead swapped again when the powerful Sean Tigere scored an unconverted try.

This lead was short-lived though as the home side scored another unconverted try taking the contest into the final 10 minutes.

As time was fast running out it looked like Northwich could leave the Island with a losing bonus point.

However, a late unconverted try for Douglas denied Blacks and they were consigned to return to the changing room to lick their wounds.

As a result of the loss, they dropped to fifth in a tight-knit top half of Regional 2 North West.

The focus now turns to the visit of neighbours Winnington Park to Moss Farm for what should be an exciting contest on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.