EVERY point could be crucial as the back end of the season unfolds for Northwich.
Therefore, the bonus point earned late on in a 38-26 loss at Birkenhead Park on Saturday was indeed a bonus for Blacks, who sit fourth from bottom in the RFU’s Regional 2 North West and eight points clear of relegation trouble with four games of the season remaining.
Of those four games, two are against sides immediately below them and two are facing top-six opponents, starting with a home clash against third-placed Vale of Lune on Saturday.
The trip to Birkenhead Park has always proved to be difficult and the weekend once again proved to be the case.
The recent rain had no real effect on the pitch which was in good order.
Blacks started well and passed on the opportunity for an early penalty kick in favour of a lineout which they failed to take advantage from.
On the seventh minute the home side did not hesitate in kicking a penalty in front of the posts.
Nevertheless, Northwich took the lead on the 22nd minute when, from an attacking lineout, the ball was moved to the short side for Rory Leijdekkers to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Two minutes later BP regained the lead with a second penalty kick and soon went on a try-scoring spree.
The first was in the corner and was awarded in unusual manner.
The touch judge spotted a foot in touch but a home official showed the referee a video on a phone which suggested the foot wasn’t on the line and to the surprise of the visiting support the referee accepted this and granted the try which was unconverted.
The next score came from a turnover which BP exploited to score a long-range try which was converted.
At this point the home side were in control, and an attacking lineout was driven resulting in an unconverted try and a significant 23-5 lead at the break.
Within three minutes of the restart the home side extended their lead with a third penalty kick.
It looked like BP would run away with the contest at this point.
However, from the restart man-of-the-match Alex Speakman collected the ball, chipped the defensive line and gathered his own kick to score an individual try which he converted.
The home side reacted well and mounted an attack and following a great build-up scored a converted try earning them a bonus point.
In response Northwich mounted an attack of their own and the pressure they exerted resulted in a try for Juan Smit which Speakman converted.
On the 70th minute any serious hope disappeared for Blacks when they lost the ball in attack and BP scored another unconverted try.
As the 80th minute approached it looked like Northwich would return home empty handed.
One final attack resulted in some neat footwork from Tom Husbands who scored a converted try drawing a curtain on an entertaining match and delivering a well-deserved bonus point.
