Crewe & Nantwich RUFC put up a fine battle against a star-studded Newport team who are running away with the Midlands 1 West division.
Newport included their recent signing Tertius Terblanche, who has played Currie Cup rugby in South Africa, on the bench at the Vagrants.
And Crewe’s unbeaten home record was finally broken by a team which has already achieved promotion to National 3.
However, the hosts did not roll over and provided some exciting periods of play, scoring two excellent tries.
The early stages were all Newport as their back line ran exciting lines, causing problems with their well-travelled Fijian centre, Henry Vaka, the main culprit.
His opposite number, Robbo Roberts, with only a handful of 1st team games under his belt, will have learnt a lot from this experience and made his presence felt.
Newport scored early through their backs but Crewe adjusted to the tempo and started to win good ball at the set piece and in the contact areas.
The forwards led by No 8 Kirk Robinson’s probing runs, started to win the gain line battle and obtain good field positions.
A couple of good scoring opportunities were lost though when overlaps were created on both wings but the last pass did not go to hand.
Newport managed another try before half time to turn around 10-0 up.
Crewe & Nantwich head coach Andy Dudley, had encouraging half-time words, and backed by a good crowd they came out fired up.
The momentum was lost, though, when poor tackling allowed their scrumhalf to dart down the blindside from a scrum and score a converted tr for 17-0.
Crewe hit back, Robinson setting up a ruck in the Newport 22, the ball was moved swiftly by scrumhalf Charlie Hutchings to Scott Cann, who put the ball behind centre Roberts, to outside centre Mike Greatbanks.
Greatbanks linked with winger, Joe Gammage, who broke through the Newport backline offloading to fullback, Toby Ward, who scored in the left hand corner, converted by Ward (pictured).
Newport responded with another try from some poor tackling, but Crewe then constructed a second try of their own, almost a carbon copy as great back play set Ward free to score in the corner. This time the conversion was missed.
As Crewe chased the game, attacking play broke down and Newport seized advantage to and added two more scores.
Man of the Match was Kirk Robinson, who had an outstanding game and broke through the Newport defence on numerous occasions.
Head Coach Dudley said: “I am proud of the players and the intensity and passion they brought to this game, particularly after losing to them 76-0 earlier in the season.
“We are still developing and this game showed they can compete at a high level and they will absorb the lessons learned from playing against quality players.”
There is no game next week, Crewe resume league action against Old Silhillians on Saturday March 21.
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