NORTHWICH came up empty handed after a determined effort in a thrilling encounter with Vale of Lune.
Blacks were ultimately defeated 38-24 at home and, with fellow strugglers West Park winning, are now only three points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Northwich welcomed Richard Dale back to the fold and Charlie Ford made his first start, with both players producing excellent performances.
The visitors, second in RFU Regional 2 North West, made a strong start with some excellent positional kicking that deprived Northwich of any meaningful possession.
With 10 minutes gone VOL launched an attack from a lineout and scored a neat try which was subsequently converted.
The next 15 minutes were even, with both defences proving difficult to break down.
Northwich launched an assault on the VOL line. with Ford crossing for a try which was converted by Alex Speakman.
Seven minutes later VOL regained the lead with a penalty when Blacks strayed offside.
Five minutes later the visitors’ lead was extended when a well driven scrum allowed VOL to move the ball wide and an uncharacteristic, missed tackle allowed them to score a converted try.
Blacks went on the offensive and following a fabulous build-up Rory Leijdekkers crossed the whitewash for Speakman to convert, bringing the half to a close with Northwich 17-14 behind.
Vale scored a try within five minutes of the restart at which point they seemed to be in full control.
On the 60th minute they added another converted try and Blacks were looking at a mountain to climb.
However, from the restart the visitors failed to secure the ball which went into the in-goal area for a quick-thinking Quinlan Watson to touch down for a try that was converted by Speakman to give Blacks a glimmer of hope.
Ten minutes later Speakman added another three points with a penalty taking his side into bonus-point territory.
Five minutes later Northwich hearts were broken when VOL scored a fifth try and added the extras, giving them a 14-point lead.
Northwich threw everything at the Lancastrians but were beaten by the clock and a well drilled side.
The coaching staff were delighted with the team’s effort especially man-of-the-match Richard Dale and the notable performances of Tom Clark, Harry Bennett and Morgan Slinger, although the effort of the whole team was to their credit.
Northwich have no game this weekend and return to action they visit Firwood Waterloo on Saturday, March 21.
WINNINGTON Park bounced back from a heavy loss when they overcame Birkenhead Park at the weekend.
Park were hammed 69-7 by RFU Regional 2 North West table toppers North Ribblesdale a week earlier – Winnington’s worst result, and Ribblesdale’s best, by a long way over the 2025/26 season.
But completing the league double against Birkenhead with this 26-25 success was an important response as it leaves them in seventh place, 11 points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Winnington made it a nervous finish for their supporters though.
They were leading 26-15 with 15 minutes to go but ended up relying on the visitors to miss a conversion with the last act of the game in order to take the win.
After Park conceded the first try in the 15th minute, they responded well as tries from Alex De Keyzer and Riewoldt Teabuge – both converted by Cameron Flanagan – put them 14-5 ahead, although the deficit was cut to two points prior to the interval thanks to Birkenhead’s second try.
Birkenhead edged in front with a penalty two minutes into the new half but Phil Lynch crossed in response and then on 65 minutes Teabuge went over for his second try, leaving Park in a position to close out the game.
But BHP had a different script with two tries in the last 10 minutes, but crucially neither were converted from wide positions.
Park: Will Du Randt, Alex De Keyzer, Riewoldt Teabuge, Lewis Pickering, Dan Davenport, Cameron Flanagan, Jack Williams, Dan Williams (Captain), Robin Lowndes, Johdell Akua, Phil Lynch, Joseph Hickey, Ross Morrin, Eli Fakailoatonga, Joel Gaidan, Conor Lapniewski, Joshua Gibbins, Harry Dodd.
Winnington return to action at third-placed Sandbach on Saturday, March 21.
