NORTHWICH went into their home clash with Widnes under no illusion as to the requirements of the remaining two matches.
Nothing less than successive wins would be the only realistic hope of avoiding a relegation play-off.
Even with the required victories Blacks would be reliant on the outcome of matches elsewhere and out of their control.
Beating Widnes 35-14 was as good as they could have hoped for at this stage, leaving them third from bottom of Regional 2 North West four points adrift of neighbours Winnington Park.
There were a couple of changes to the squad through injuries but there was a welcome return to action for Zac Richardson, who has been sorely missed.
The contest started well for the home side as on the fifth minute the excellent Alex Speakman delivered a perfectly weighted cross kick which was collected and fed inside to Jack Owens to score the opening try for Speakman to convert.
Five minutes later Widnes reduced the arrears with a penalty kick for not releasing.
Northwich went on the attack and laid siege to the Widnes line but no matter how hard they carried, the visitors’ defence could not be broken over the next 15-minute period.
With 25 minutes gone another penalty for Widnes was successfully slotted to take the match within one point.
Once again, Blacks went on the offensive and once again the resilient Widnes defence held firm and were able to clear the lines.
With half time approaching Widnes took the lead with a third penalty bringing the half to a close at 9-7.
Within 10 minutes of the restart Blacks regained the lead with a try which started deep in their own half.
Charlie Ford tidied the loose ball, and a counterattack was launched involving Richardson, Thansville Mayman, Sean Tigere and finally Quinlan Watson who scored a try for Speakman to convert.
Ten minutes later a fine build-up from Blacks led to a Jonny Pym try despite the defensive efforts of the visitors. Speakman was again on target with the conversion.
On the 70th minute Northwich secured a bonus point when a well driven scrum provided the platform for Tigere to cross the line and Speakman was on hand to add the extras.
With five minutes remaining Northwich launched another attack, and Speakman placed a second cross-field kick for Tom Husbands to collect and step inside the defence to score a fine try for Speakman to round off a masterclass with the boot.
Widnes exerted a massive amount of pressure to end the match with a well deserved try which went unconverted.
This was an excellent performance with significant contributions from the whole squad.
However, man of the match Patrick Douglas caught the eye with a typically dogged performance which punctuated the attitude of the whole squad.
The coaching team and the players will now catch their breath and begin the preparations for the final match against second-from-bottom West Park St Helens on April 11.
