NOT for the first time, Northwich put the frighteners on a contender for the title.
That they fell agonisingly short, as they had done against Kirkby Lonsdale last month, is an indicator of the small details that make a big difference at a higher level.
Had Nick Baldwin converted a penalty from the contest’s final kick, then Blacks would have celebrated a remarkable victory.
Such a thrilling finish seemed unlikely when they trailed 26-9 at the interval, although they prevented their hosts from scoring a point in the second period.
Early Park pressure earned reward when Paul Hellier’s pass sent wing Adam Wellington to the line in the corner.
Baldwin replied with a penalty, only for Dave Ibbotson to conclude a driving maul with Birkenhead’s second try.
Simon Mason converted.
Baldin landed a pair of three-pointers before the break, but Ibbotson crossed for his second try and his teammates made sure of a bonus point when hooker Peter Doolan forced his way over.
Mason improved both scores with a conversion.
Northwich improved significantly after the interval, claiming a try of their own when captain Chris Dale burst forward from midfield before feeding Shaun Phillips in support.
The returning prop, recovered from a rib injury, touched down close to the sticks to leave Baldwin with a simple conversion.
Blacks’ fight-back was given a boost when Mason was sent to the sin bin as punishment for a high tackle, presenting Baldwin with a penalty from distance that further reduced the visitors’ arrears.
Northwich hopes were hit when James Reilly left the field after suffering a broken elbow, but they remained resilient.
Will Du Randt stepped inside to dot down after Dale fed Sam Naylor following a scrum, only for Baldwin’s kick – which would have levelled the scores – to strike an upright.
When Park conceded another penalty in added time, his attempt drifted narrowly wide of the target.
It leaves Northwich third in North One West ahead of a visit from fourth-placed Wilmslow, victors in each of their past five matches, this Saturday.
Northwich | Phillips, James, Maddocks, Heywood, Smith, Naylor, Chris Dale, English, Poste, Baldwin, Underhill, Reilly, Du Randt, Houghton, Richard Dale Replacements Farley, Thompson, Dudley Tries Phillips, Du Randt Con Baldwin Pens Baldwin (4)
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