NORTHWICH began life after Kevin Greaves with a gutsy defeat at the hands of North West Two leaders Rochdale at Moss Farm on Saturday.
Assistant coach Danny Townsend took temporary charge of first-team affairs and his request for a performance was met by backs-to-the-wall effort from the men in black.
The hosts had the better of the first half and deserved more than going into the break 8-7 down.
Winger Joel Barber opened the scoring on 10 minutes when he intercepted a pass. Matt Bebbington converted.
After the break, Rochdale turned on the style and built an unassailable 34-7 lead.
But Northwich refused to lie down and were rewarded with two tries from Pete Pattenden and Adam Bown. Bebbington added one conversion to complete the 34-19 scoreline.
Townsend said: “I know they will give me everything they have got and regardless of the result, I just want to get them ready for the curtain closer against Sandbach on April 18.
“Sandbach have been our bogey team for too long and I am determined to turn the tables on them.”
Northwich’s management committee are due to make a permanent appointment in the summer.
This Saturday, Northwich visit second-placed Rossendale (3pm).
