The previous week Penrith had been able to field their best side of the calendar year and had given the league leaders a good run for their money, this week 10 of that side were unavailable for various reasons and it was a very makeshift side that travelled to Northwich.
Almost the last 18 players on their feet took the trip and many of them were playing out of position, they were not short of forwards but hooker Ian McDowell played at scrum half and acquitted himself well but they were short of experienced backs especially wide out and it would cost them.
Despite all this Penrith made a powerful start to the game with Dan Richardson to the fore and set their hosts on the back foot with some strong running from the forwards. It took the home side a while to take control of the game but they gradually got the upper hand and scored a well worked try through the backs. They quickly added a second score when the No8 went over from a 5m scrum.
The Cumbrians hit back when the hosts spilt the ball in the backs. flanker Tom Lindsay doubling up as a centre was away with the ball and released winger Lewis Stewart, although also a flanker by trade the young man has a turn of pace and made it to the 22 before the cover got to him. He was able to break the first tackle and then another two before going over in the corner. The visitors had got themselves back into the game but another two tries just before half time just about put the result to bed and Penrith trailed 26-5 as they changed ends.
Another two tries in the first ten minutes of the second half then saw Penrith staring down the barrel having conceded 40 points with half an hour to play. Their spirit could not be questioned though and heads never went down as they battled away and prevented a rampant home side adding to their score for the remainder of the game.
With 17 minutes to go Penrith's travelling support was treated to a glimpse of "Macca Magic" as Jamie McNaughton came off the bench having not played since January '19 and undergoing a shoulder operation. He eased himself through the gears and created some real problems for the home defence. He was instrumental in the visitor's second score as he took the ball off Ed Swale, made the break and was then able to get the ball away in the tackle to allow Swale to score in the corner.
At the end of the game the travelling support applauded their side off the field as they could not have asked any more of them and their captain Swale said "we never gave up and the lads were a credit to the club".