FOR the second week in a row Northwich scored 27 points in a match, but Bowdon scored 50 points making the journey to clay Lane extremely disappointing.

Blacks always knew this was going to be a tough encounter against a well-drilled team.

Nevertheless, Northwich could not have anticipated the absence of so many players through injury, weddings and holidays.

There were first appearances of the season for Kyle Clarke, Harry Bennett and the impressive Levy Nzoungou.

The home side were on the scoreboard with a converted try within seven minutes.

A Harry Naylor penalty reduced the arrears before two successful Bowdon kicks at goal and a second Naylor penalty gave the home side a 13-6 lead at the half-hour point.

Then Bowdon took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball wide to score a converted try.

It was at this point the tide really turned.

Blacks were putting Bowdon under pressure and a loose ball was collected by Boitumelo Tsatsane and it looked like an opportunity to score.

However, the referee deemed he was offside although he seemed to be in open play.

His reaction was not well received, and he was shown a yellow card.

With the half in added time some slick handling and a well-executed long pass with the Blacks defence stretched led to another converted try for 27-6.

The second half started with Bowdon further extending their lead with a bonus-point try that went unconverted.

The reaction from Northwich was positive.

Led by man of the match Tom White they launched an assault on the Bowdon line.

This attack involved almost everyone with Nzoungou crossing the whitewash for Naylor to add the extras.

Bowdon did not lie down and over the next 15 minutes scored two unconverted tries with a penalty sandwiched between.

With 10 minutes remaining Northwich still felt they could get something out of the match and scored two converted tries, the first through the tireless Patrick Doulas and the second scored by Tom White. Naylor converted both.

With a sniff of a bonus-point score Northwich continued to pressure Bowdon.

Deep in stoppage time Northwich had an attacking lineout close to the home side’s line.

Having secured the ball, they drove for the line only to spill the ball and allow Bowdon to counter and wrap up the scoring at the opposite end.

The coaching team will be hoping that some of the availability issues will be resolved for Saturday’s home clash with Crewe & Nantwich, kick-off 3pm.

Northwich have now slipped to the bottom of the table.