BLACKS were optimistic about their prospects at home to Firwood Waterloo despite the ever-growing list of absentees.
Zac Richardson, Richard Dale, Alex Speakman, Will Fernley, Jonathan Knipe, Ethan Eyers and Hurjo Besuidenhout were all missing from a Regional 2 North West contest that Firwood won 29-12.
Brechan Stephenson stepped into the fly-half spot with the out-of-retirement Sam Naylor his half-back partner.
The optimism was cemented in the first two minutes when a charge led by Juan Smit was finished with a barnstorming run from Thansville Mayman to score a fine try for Tom Husbands to convert.
The euphoria was short lived as from deep in their own half Waterloo went on the attack and moved the ball wide for the winger to evade a series of would-be tacklers. The extras were missed.
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Northwich were then guilty of making too many errors and handing the visitors too many penalties.
One penalty provided Waterloo with a lineout close to the Blacks try line and following a well-orchestrated drive they scored a converted try to take the lead.
With 10 minutes left in the half Northwich drew level with a captain’s try from Rory Leijdekkers which went unconverted.
Within three minutes of the restart the visitors took the lead with another driving maul from a lineout. The extras were added, and Waterloo were beginning to seize the initiative.
Fifteen minutes later Firwood secured a bonus-point try and added the extras following a well executed move.
With 15 minutes remaining the visitors closed the door on any hopes with a penalty.
Blacks battled to the end led by a man-of-the-match performance from Tom Clark and Quinlan Watson.
The Waterloo coaching team were delighted with the outcome, confirming this was their best performance of the season as they climbed off bottom spot.
This was a massive disappointment for Northwich and there is plenty to work on and improve.
There were plenty of good performances, but a lack of cohesion and ill-discipline proved to be the Blacks downfall.
Northwich will need to work hard during the week in preparation for the tricky away encounter with Widnes, kick-off 2.15pm.
