Despite this set back there were good performances.

Northwich were under no illusion about the task the visit to Blackburn would present. The blacks were playing 11 new players since the last time the two sides met. By contrast the home side had only 3 different squad members. Throughout the match this factor was evident as Northwich struggled to gain any cohesion while Blackburn had a clear game plan and the ability to execute the plan. For many among the travelling support it was a surprise to be greeted with a sun-drenched pitch (we usually travel to Blackburn in the winter months) and a backdrop worthy of a painting by Constable.

From the kick off Northwich tried to carry the ball out of the 22. However, a handling error passed the initiative to Blackburn. From a close lineout the home side created a maul that the visitors were unable to stop. The try was converted and after only 3 minutes Northwich were 7 points down. Things went from bad to worse when the retars failed to go 10 metres and enabled the home side to launch a good attack which ended with an unconverted try. The home side scored a third try on the 12th minute when a poor Northwich lineout allowed the Blackburn to counter missed tackles led to a converted try and a 19-point lead for Blackburn. With 20 minutes gone there was finally something for the visitors to cheer about. Following a solid scrum, the blacks went on the attack and with some excellent handling and a fine offload Haugh went in for a fine try. The extras were missed but there was a glimmer of hope. However, any hope was short lived as 5 minutes later the home side stole a lineout went on the attack and scored an unconverted try to undo the Northwich score. As the half drew to a close the visitors won a scrum against the head and set up a good attack and an offload by England to Leijdekkers allowed the visitors to double their tally. With the half almost at a close Northwich spilled the ball and the home side took full advantage to cancel the previous score and go into the break with a 29-10 advantage.

The second half began as the first. Too many errors kept giving the home side the initiative. The next 30 minutes belonged to Blackburn. Their first score of the half came from a missed touch kick that was returned with class, this was quickly followed by a fortunate charge down that fell into the hands of a Blackburn player giving hi a clear run to the line. Two further tries followed leaving the blacks with no hope of getting anything from the match. Nevertheless, the spirit was high and on the 80th minute they were rewarded with a try from Tom husbands following a neat wrap around in the mid-field and a long pass for the score. A try for the home side deep in stoppage time rounded off a good Blackburn performance and an education for the blacks.

Final score Blackburn 62 – Northwich 15

Despite this set back there were good performances from our new boys in particular Logan Mitchell and Taylor Haugh (the Fire and Heat man of the match). The forwards provided a solid platform in the scrum and there was bags of invention providing encouragement for the future. The coaching team will no doubt be looking at a number of areas knowing there will be massive improvement in the coming weeks

Next week Northwich entertain Anselmians KO 3.00pm

Northwich Team

15 Taylor Haugh
14 Tom Husbands
13 Jack Qwen
12 Logan Mitchell
11 Eli Brizendine
10 Liam Batt
9 Richard Hart
1 Gabriel Sipapate
2 Rory Leijdekkers (Capt)
3 Callum Hulbert
4 Patrick Douglas
5 Sam Patterson
6 Aaron Collins
7 Richard Dale
8 Jack England
16 Adam Ollier
17 Eon Du Preez
18 Stephen Christian