NORTHWICH’S promotion to North One West was confirmed on Saturday following their 61-5 success away to relegated neighbours Winnington Park.

Martin Poste’s side went into the game knowing they would secure first place in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One if they extended a winning sequence in the league to 19 matches.

Blacks duly obliged, running in nine tries at Burrows Hill to record a convincing victory.

Richard Dale and Robin Houghton both touched down twice, while the reliable Nick Baldwin kicked eight conversions.

It leaves the men from Moss Farm, promoted from the same section as champions in 2007, 11 points clear of closest-rivals West Park with two games still to play.

The St Helens outfit, conquerors of Wigan this afternoon, will contest a play-off next month to decide whether they join Northwich at step six.

Winnington, already confirmed as the section’s back-markers, end a campaign to forget with 13 defeats from their final 14 fixtures.

“We wanted to get it done today, and that’s what we did,” reflected Poste after the final whistle.

“It was untidy in parts, and we can play much better than we’ve shown, but those boys deserve to enjoy this moment.”