Behind by 14 points at half time, Littleborough staged a most remarkable second half performance to draw level and should have in fact won it. Gary Keegan's close range try was disallowed for a knock on, despite the flanker placing the ball down on the try line before knocking on.

Instead, it would end all-square and leave everyone bewildered at what the outcome would be as both teams enjoyed muted celebrations. As the dust settled, cup organisers contentiously named Northwich victors as the away side, despite playing the match at their home ground.

2 converted first half scores from the Northwich number 14 down the left caught out a disjointed and cold Littleborough side and looked set to give the home side a comfortable afternoon. On the other hand, the visitors weren't going to waste their first major chance at silverware this season.

And it was the away side that would dominate the large majority of the second half; laying siege to a Northwich try line that for too long lived a charmed life until Boro made the all important breakthrough.

Prop Murphy Holt broke through 2 tired tackles to power over with 15 minutes left to take the score to 14-7, before the try that was never was for Keegan. Undeterred by the setback, Boro continued to pile on the pressure as the clock ticked down.

When out of nowhere, fullback-come-flyhalf Alex West stepped and dummied his way through the Northwich defence to touch down at the base of the post. Andy Walton confidently smashed the conversion through the posts to level the tie.

Despite last minute desperate defending on the try line, Littleborough held out as the final whistle brought the end to a chaotic roller-coaster of an afternoon. There was one last thing to decide, who was the home side and who most importantly would be the away side.

After deliberation with the organisers, Littleborough were named as the home team because the tie should have been played at Rakewood had it not been for an unplayable pitch. Leaving Northwich to dream of a golden chance of cup glory while Boro were left to dream of what might have been.