AFTER cruising to their biggest victory of the season last weekend, a pause for Northwich.

They return to action on Saturday week at Altrincham Kersal.

And with six games left, Blacks remain in contention for a top-three finish on their first season back in North One West after four away.

Martin Poste’s men were not in danger against back-markers Eccles from the moment Rhys Edwards sped to the line after scrum-half Matthew Poste’s quickly-taken tap.

Nick Baldwin duly kicked the first of eight conversions.

Captain Chris Dale popped the ball to a supporting Chris Heywood, following debutant Aaron Brown’s initial break, for a second score shortly afterwards.

Sam Naylor was next to go over, profiting from Bud Skinkis’ pass after Dale had attacked on the blind side following a scrum.

A bonus-point followed before half an hour had been played when Joel Barber touched down.

If the opening period was competitive, the second was less so.

Northwich Guardian:

Nick Baldwin orchestrates a Northwich attack during a one-sided encounter with Eccles at Moss Farm on Saturday. Picture: Ken Houghton

Northwich built on their advantage when Skinkis stepped inside a defender and sprinted to the whitewash.

Aaron Brown, making his debut on the wing, was next to dot down after receiving a pass from Dale, weaving through a porous Eccles back-line.

Naylor bagged his second try of the contest on 64 minutes, collecting Baldwin’s perfectly-weighted pass after Blacks had recycled the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.

The faithful at Moss Farm saved their biggest cheer of the afternoon for their favourites’ next score, Robin Houghton – playing his final fixture of the campaign before setting off on his travels – trading passes with Brown before scampering over.

A comprehensive victory was complete with five minutes left when Baldwin, after receiving the ball from Poste, invited Barber to join an attack he ended with a well-executed try.

Northwich | Thompson, Lindsay, Michael Bradshaw, Dudley, Heywood, Naylor, English, Chris Dale, Poste, Baldwin, Skinkis, Edwards, Houghton, Brown, Barber Replacements Purbrick, Lloyd, Phillips Tries Edwards, Heywood, Naylor (2), Barber (2), Skinkis, Brown, Houghton Cons Baldwin (8)

Additional reporting by Steve Wood