NORTHWICH Rugby Union Club’s first team have climbed into second spot in North One West.

That is the result of a 41-17 home win against Bowdon at the weekend.

Their form will face a big test on Saturday though when they head to third-placed Firwood Waterloo, kick-off 2.15pm.

Despite the UK expecting Storm Ciara Moss Farm was relatively calm on Saturday and for the first time this season Martin Poste was able to name the same team from the previous week.

It did not take long for the scoreboard to start ticking as Bowdon drew first blood when the Blacks were penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

The Northwich response was swift as, from a Bowdon drop out, Naylor caught the ball, spun out of the tackle and ran for the line to score an opportunist try that Baldwin converted.

Unfortunately, a long miss-out pass was intercepted by the Bowdon winger who won the race for the line for a converted try.

Northwich then took control.

The first try was scored by the ever improving Burmah, who scored after a good build up and some great handling.

A multi-phase build-up and a long pass found man of the match Chris Dale out wide and he proved to be unstoppable. Baldwin added the extras and a penalty soon after.

Then from a drive Richard Dale appeared from under a pile of bodies having scored a try which Baldwin converted to secure a bonus point at 29-10.

The second half was a much tighter contest.

The deadlock was broken after Bradshaw broke a tackle and supporting Tom Clark was held up short, but the ball was recycled and Heywood was on hand to finish off. Baldwin converted.

Bowdon still showed plenty of ambition and mounted an attack that was completed with a fine try out wide.

The final score was one for the front row. A short lineout from James to Maddocks was returned to James who went on a great charge and as he neared the line he drew the defence and fed Maddocks to crash over.