Northwich 14 Altrincham Kersal 25

NORTHWICH could not prevent promotion favourites Altrincham Kersal from adding to their lead at the table’s summit on Saturday.

Black’s eight-match winning sequence in South Lancs/Cheshire Division One ended as a result, hitting their already faint hopes of reaching a play-off at the same time.

They now trail the leaders by 20 points with a dozen matches still to play.

The home team, after switching the contest to a different pitch following persistent rainfall and an overnight frost, controlled the opening half an hour.

They applied pressure to the visitors’ defence for long periods, establishing a deserved lead when Sam Naylor’s quick-thinking was rewarded with a try.

Chris Dutoy converted.

But Blacks, despite continuing to dominate possession, could not improve their points tally.

Instead Altrincham touched down a first try after opting for a lineout when they were awarded a penalty.

From a maul that followed, they reduced the deficit.

The visitors edged ahead during first-half injury time after they were awarded a scrum inside the Northwich 22.

From the resulting attack, a converted try followed after the last home team defender missed his tackle.

An even contest followed the interval, with both sides attempting to play expansive rugby.

Northwich scored next after 50 minutes, Naylor bursting through a gap before releasing Joel Barber who was too quick for recovering defenders in a race to the line.

Dutoy’s kick made it 14-12 to the hosts.

Altrincham struck a penalty to enter the closing stages with a single point advantage.

They turned the screw, registering a try that was just reward for a spell of patience and control.

When a second three-pointer followed, their cushion was worth two scores.

Blacks tried everything to respond with time running out, but they could not avoid suffering a first league defeat since October 4.

Northwich Thompson, Tangi, Brotherton, Harrison, Gavin, Watts, James, Thyne, Gallimore, Dutoy, Houghton, Naylor, Simes, Barber, Elliott Replacements Cairns, Smith, Kania Tries Naylor, Barber Cons Dutoy (2)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood