Birkenhead Park 46 Northwich 0

RFU South Lancs/

Cheshire One

Saturday, March 10

NORTHWICH were always up against it on Saturday as Birkenhead Park showed exactly why they lead the way in South Lancashire/Cheshire One.

They went over for four tries in the first half, two of which were converted for a 24-0 lead.

Given this early onslaught, Northwich can reflect that they did well not to have 50 points put on them, but their depleted side was never in the game.

Missing were the fighting qualities of Shaun Boyle, Chris Burmah and Rob Birtles, as well as the kinetic energy of number eight Dean Thompson, still out with a knee injury.

Coach Andy Manicom could call for nothing more than a damage limitation exercise in the second half, and that's all he got as Northwich, despite the excellent performance of substitute Stuart Mills, couldn't breach the home side's line.

Fitness was the major telling factor in destroying Northwich's vast second half improvement, as they conceded three further tries, two converted, and a penalty towards the end, the last coming virtually on the whistle.

This Saturday, Northwich travel to Birchfield in the league.

The 2nds, whose game was cancelled on Saturday, are at home to Birchfield, while the 3rds, who lost at Macclesfield 27-15, have no fixture.