NORTHWICH lost a 14-try thriller to Firwood Waterloo in dramatic fashion at Blundellsands.
The riveting back-and-forth contest provided supporters with a rollercoaster of emotions.
But Northwich could only muster one bonus point for their heroic efforts, leaving them second from bottom in the relegation zone in RFU Regional 2 North West.
Blacks made several changes to their line-up, the most notable being the return of Harry Naylor from his overseas travels.
He wasted no time asserting his influence on the game, scoring a try within the first five minutes and adding another two points for good measure.
The visitors seemed to have set a promising early pace.
However, Firwood Waterloo quickly responded with two converted tries in the 14th and 20th minutes, taking the lead 14-7.
Northwich's Quinlan Watson levelled the scores with a well-executed try at the 30-minute mark, with Naylor promptly converting.
Five minutes later, Watson struck again with his second try, once more converted by Naylor, restoring the visitors' lead.
Nevertheless, just before the half-time whistle, Firwood Waterloo dealt a one-two punch with a further brace of tries, one of which was converted, to secure a five-point advantage.
The home team extended their lead shortly after the break, taking advantage of a loose Northwich defence.
Northwich's captain Rory Leijdekkers responded with a try, although this went unconverted.
Yet it was the 50th-minute mark where the match truly heated up.
Firwood Waterloo scored two rapid tries, one of which was converted, suggesting the game might be slipping beyond Northwich's reach.
However, Northwich put up a spirited fight, scoring two converted tries thanks to Watson and Sean Tigere.
This narrowed the gap to just one point with 10 minutes left to play.
Despite their determined efforts, Northwich's hopes of winning were dashed when Firwood Waterloo scored a decisive converted try just five minutes from the end.
Northwich's coaching team praised their players' relentless commitment, despite the disappointing result.
Charlie Ford, Tigere and Watson stood out for their tireless performances.
Northwich must now regroup and focus on their final home match against a formidable Widnes side on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Northwich: Charlie Ford, Rory Leijdekkers, Thansville Mayman, Patrick Douglas, Harry Bennett, Jack Owens, Morgan Slinger, Sean Tigere, Harry Owens, Hurjo Besuidenhout, Harry Owens, Richard Dale, Quinlan Watson, Ethan Ayres, Alex Speakman. Replacements: Tom Husbands, Jonny Pym, and Toby Moss.
Despite the loss, the thrilling match at Blundellsands will be remembered for its spectacle and fierce competition.
