Northwich pay the penalty at Douglas as promotion play-off becomes mathematical impossibility

NORTHWICH scored more tries than their hosts on Saturday, when a defeat ended their hopes of reaching a promotion play-off.

A loss for second-placed Liverpool St Helens at title favourites Altrincham Kersal meant the men from Moss Farm could have closed the gap with a victory, though they would have needed a bonus point to remain in contention going into the season’s remaining matches.

Blacks were second-best in the set piece at the weekend, conceding enough penalties to allow full back Bryn Snelgrove to kick the majority of the hosts’ points.

He had been successful from two attempts by the time Douglas mauled over from short range to make it 11-0 midway through a first half during which their heavier pack dominated scrums.

Snelgrove kicked another penalty before the break too.

Richard Dale registered the visitors’ first points from a penalty early in the second period after resisting the temptation to take a quick tap.

Snelgrove then did the same at the other end before heavy rain began to fall.

The hosts began to tire, and Northwich produced their best spell of the contest.

Jack Watts stunning solo score was a catalyst; after picking up the ball from the base of a scrum inside Blacks’ 22, he swerved past a series of attempted tackles before touching down between the posts.

Dale converted to reduce the deficit to seven points.

But a fifth penalty for Douglas left the visitors needing two scores to complete a comeback.

Watts’ break, supported by Sam Naylor, took Northwich into the home team’s 22m.

From the resulting maul, Robin Houghton emerged with the ball to score.

Dale’s extras made it 20-17 before time ran out.

“They were up for the challenge and threw everything at us,” said Naylor afterwards.

“Sadly, a poor performance in the set piece cost us a victory.”

Northwich Hulbert (Lloyd), Thompson, Tangi, Gavin, Harrison (Collins), James, Smith, Watts, Gallimore, Keller, Barber, Naylor, Jones (Purbrick), Dale, Houghton Tries Watts, Houghton Cons Dale (2) Pen Dale

Additional reporting by Warren Davies