Northwich 59 Manchester 19

NORTHWICH put in their best performance of the season so far in a mauling of Manchester, racking up nine tries.

Three of those arrived in the game’s first 15 minutes, establishing a lead the visitors never looked likely to overturn.

Instead they were dazed during a dominant opening by Blacks, who have amassed 138 points at Moss Farm since losing to neighbours Winnington last month.

Stand-in skipper Chris James set the standard, pouncing on a loose ball inside five minutes to start a move that ended with Richard Dale touching down.

James Underhill’s extras followed.

Dale then turned provider for Andy Outram to score the hosts’ second try, converted expertly by Underhill from the touchline.

Outram repeated the trick shortly afterwards on the opposite flank, breezing through two flimsy attempted tackles, to add to his team’s advantage.

Underhill’s kick made it 21-0.

Blacks’ intensity without the ball was as impressive as their fluidity with it, forcing handling errors by Manchester.

From one such mistake did a fourth try duly arrive, Sam Naylor adding a final flourish after fellow back-rower Liam Gavin raided down the right.

Manchester’s most productive spell followed either side of the interval, when they crossed the whitewash twice.

One try was converted, closing the gap to 26-12.

But Northwich quickly reasserted their authority, Chris Bradshaw cutting a perfect line through a gap in the visitors’ defence to claim a fifth try. Underhill converted.

Joel Barber was next to get in on the act, dancing past tiring defenders who could not react quickly enough to halt his progress to the line.

The away team responded with their third try of the contest in front of the posts, but it provided only brief respite.

Richard Dale’s break was decisive when Blacks scored again, the centre off-loading to debutant James Reilly who moved the ball swiftly on to second-half replacement Richard Lloyd.

He burst into space before popping off for James to score from close range.

Underhill kicked successfully again, before Northwich moved past a half-century of points when James helped himself to a pushover try after a forceful forward drive by the hosts’ pack.

Barber claimed Blacks’ final score, collecting James’ assist before speeding clear of Manchester’s beleaguered defence.

Richard Dale took over kicking duty to complete a comprehensive victory for Martin Poste’s men.

They rise to sixth in the South Lancs/Cheshire Division One table as a reward, with a trip to third-placed New Brighton to follow next weekend.

Northwich Maddocks, Thompson, Grabski, Bradshaw, Farley, Gavin, Naylor, James, Poste, Underhill, Outram, Reilly, Richard Dale, Kania, Barber Replacements Cartman, Lloyd Tries Outram (2), Barber (2), James (2), Richard Dale, Naylor, Bradshaw Cons Underhill (6), Richard Dale