NORTHWICH RUFC’S bid to bounce straight back from relegation got off to a losing start on Saturday.

Try as they might, a nightmare first half proved too much to come back from as they opened the new season at Vale of Lune, who ran out 30-20 victors.

Blacks put together a strong second half as they aimed to at least secure a bonus point, but they were to leave empty-handed.

Of the 30 points the hosts scored, 25 came in the first half after the two sides had traded early penalties, with Harry Naylor levelling matters at 3-3 after eight minutes.

From this point, however, Vale took command and three tries and a penalty had them in a 22-point lead at the break.

Whatever was said in the Northwich dressing room at half time clearly had the desired effect, however, as the visitors set about fighting their way back into the contest.

Richard Dale scored their first try with an excellent individual effort converted by Naylor before a superb break from Boitumelo Tsatsane resulted in a penalty, which was taken quickly to release Tom Husbands to score in the corner.

Naylor’s conversion reduced the deficit to just 10 points, but the home side were able to keep their visitors at arm’s length by scoring a fourth try to secure a bonus point.

Northwich were in no mood to give up, however, and Husbands profited from another quickly-taken penalty to score his second try and raise hopes of a bonus point of their own.

Ultimately, however, they could not force another score.

Blacks’ first home game of the new season sees them welcome Sandbach to Moss Farm on Saturday.