Northwich round off their league campaign with a draw

Northwich Rugby Club rounded off their league campaign by being held to a 17 all draw by Stockport at Moss Farm on Saturday.

Although both teams would finish comfortably in mid table, neither side were prepared to see the season out with a dead rubber fixture and the pride and passion displayed by both teams ensured the large home crowd would watch an enthralling encounter. Many of the Moss Farm faithful would have liked the Blacks to have finished with a win but a draw was probably a fair result for both sides.

The visitors had a majority of the play and possession in the first half and Northwich dominated large spells after the interval.
Stockport came out the blocks the quicker of the two sides and took the game to Northwich whose defence was sorely tested throughout the first period but the relentless pressure created by the well drilled South Manchester outfit saw them take a 12-point lead at the break.

Their first try came after four minutes following a penalty kick to the Blacks left corner, a line out catch and drive resulting in prop Tom Gardner crashing over, centre Ben Dearing adding the extras. Mid-way through the first period Stockport extended their lead when flanker Isaac Dean side-stepped through the Northwich defence 30 metres out and he ran in for an easy try which went unconverted.

Similarly to what happened at league champions Lymm the week before, Head Coach Sam Naylor rallied his charges at the break with a motivational pep talk and the Blacks came out after the re-start all charged up.

It took nine minutes for 2nd XV Development squad captain Harry Naylor, playing at scrum half, to opened the scoring for the home side when he took a quick tap penalty five metres from the line and he barged over the whitewash, giving winger Tom Husband an easy kick to bring the Blacks within five points of their opponents. Ten minutes later Northwich were in front when a series of charges by Jordan Clarke, Harry Naylor and Matt Lafeta resulted in powerhouse lock Andre Nell crashing over to round off a great period of play by the home side.
Husband added the conversion to put Northwich two points in front and the lead was extended to five points three minutes later when Husband added a penalty.

With five minutes remaining and hopes high among the Moss Farm throng that they would be witnessing a win for the home side, a double forward pass inside their own 22 proved costly for the Blacks. A desperate kick by Stockport towards the Northwich line looked easy enough to be dealt with but instead of playing safe and kicking for touch to clear play up-field, Northwich decided to run it out and contrived to make two forward passes. Northwich managed to defend the resulting scrum but Stockport tried passing wide and their assault on the Northwich back-line resulted in a penalty. The visitors opted for a lineout, and as with the first try, a well-executed catch and drive saw Rory Austin cross the whitewash to level the scores. Luckily for the home crowd and Northwich players, Dearing narrowly missed his conversion attempt and the game petered out into a draw but not before a farewell gesture by veteran Chris Heywood.

In his last game for Northwich before retirement after playing more than 400 games for the club including the triumphant appearance at Twickenham where Northwich won the National EDF Cup Final, the long serving ever combatant, committed lock stole a line-out throw in the dying moments when Stockport were threatening to spoil his farewell performance. He was justifiably congratulated at the final whistle for his service to the Club and every member wishes Chris Heywood a long and happy retirement from playing for the Club he has steadfastly and loyally served for 20 years.

After the game, Head Coach Sam Naylor said “I was very pleased with our performance today, especially with the way we defended in the first half and how we took the game to Stockport after the break.”

He added “I thought everyone deserved a mention for the way they all played today but I thought Chris Heywood was man of the match, and it was fitting that the great man final contribution to his career at our club was to steal a Stockport throw”.

Several of the overseas contingent will be returning to their home lands in the very near future but such is the spirit within the squad, in spite of all the recent upheaval, most have expressed their wish to return in time for the next campaign and help their adopted club consolidate their position in Level 5 National League rugby.

Match Reporter
Chris Hart