NORTHWICH RUFC returned to Moss Farm frustrated and disappointed following their trip to Altrincham Kersal.

They remain without a win or a point this season after losing 20-7 on Saturday, but their performance brought about a lot of positives.

Despite some vigorous defending at times, Blacks went in at half-time 15-0 down thanks to two tries and a penalty for the hosts.

The visitors had made a nightmare start – if a somewhat bemusing one – when after having a controversial penalty given against them, AK took advantage to open the scoring after just three minutes.

A second home try followed 10 minutes later, with the successfully-kicked penalty coming with the half in overtime.

Northwich then started the second half as they had the first and conceded quickly after AK put together a fine move to score in the corner and take their lead to 20-0.

Almost immediately afterwards, however, Northwich responded after the home defence failed to deal with a kick, allowing Tom Husbands to scoop up the loose ball and score under the posts to leave Harry Naylor with a simple conversion.

Momentum had swung Blacks’ way and the prospect of a losing bonus point at the very least was a live one, but the home side were able to defend their line and suffer no further damage.

Northwich are back at Moss Farm on Saturday for the visit of high-flying Burnage.