Aspull 12

Northwich 13

NORTHWICH returned to action after a three-week lay-off for Christmas and the match cancellations following the funeral of club captain Shaun Bennett.

The last match was the emotionally charged home fixture against Wilmslow the afternoon after Shaun's tragic death in a road accident, when the players responded with a display of commitment and courage.

In the clinging mud at Aspull, they carried on where they had left off to snatch victory in a game that seemed lost 10 minutes into the second half.

New captain Gary Evans led by example and one sortie by the men in black forced their opponents to concede a penalty 35 metres out which Steve Campbell slotted over.

The defence held firm and the visitors turned round with a half-time lead, but within 10 minutes of the restart Aspull scored two tries to put Northwich on the ropes.

Winger Chris Caulfield was off the pitch injured when the home side moved the ball wide for the first try, while fellow winger Dominic Shaw uncharacteristically missed a tackle to let his opposite number in for a score.

At 12-3 up, Aspull's vociferous coach called for his players to start running in the tries. But Northwich had other ideas.

A thrilling fightback began when scrum half Mike Gallimore went over from close range just a couple of minutes after having a try disallowed. Campbell's conversion attempt failed, but an away win was now well in sight.

Hooker Simon Grant won four scrums against the head, but it was the backs who had the final say, putting Campbell away on the wing. As he was brought down, he popped the ball up to player coach Andy Manicom, who ran in to give his team a one point lead.

However, there was one final twist as Northwich appeared to have the win in the bag. Briggs was harshly penalised at a line out and the referee, in the face of protests, moved the penalty 10 metres and to within kicking distance.

As the ball left the Aspull kicker's boot, it seemed destined to sail between the posts but it fell just short into the hands of prop Andy Cornes. He transferred the ball to his backs and Manicom booted it into touch to bring the game to an exciting end.