Crewe & Nantwich RUFC kick-started their season with a fine 40-29 away win at Walsall.
Head coach Andy Dudley made 10 changes to the 1sts squad of 18 after last week’s opening league game defeat.
And the injection of new players contributed to a tremendous win.
Before kick-off, 2nd row Pat Fray aggravated a hamstring injury in warm-up and was withdrawn.
So veteran prop and 1st team forwards coach Andy Pemberton stepping up onto the bench, with prop forward Ricky Evans moving to the 2nd row partnering Bugzy Davies.
The game started well for Crewe as they dominated possession and the pressure told as Walsall conceded a penalty for offside after three minutes which centre Jamie Little converted.
Then a break by prop Ian Merrill from the halfway line into the Walsall 22 set up a ruck.
The ball was moved swiftly by Niall McGregor and Tom Poole to fullback, Tom Baldwin, who scored to the left of the posts, converted by Little.
Crewe conceded a silly penalty by kicking the ball out of the side of a ruck which Walsall converted and the momentum started to shift to the hosts and the home support.
The Walsall fullback fielded a high kick and set off on a counter attack, releasing his wing who scored under the Crewe posts for a converted try to make it 10-10.
Walsall won a Crewe line-out in the Crewe 22 and the ball was moved to their fly-half who split the defence scoring under the posts for a converted try.
Little responded with another penalty for an offside decision against Walsall. At half-time, Crewe trailed 17-13.
Coach Andy Dudley’s half-time pep talk did the trick and they came out strong after the break.
Hooker Eli Woodward turned over a ball in the Crewe 22 and bulldozed his way through the Walsall pack, popped a neat ball to wing Eddie Spibey, who showed raw pace to round three defenders to score under the posts converted by Little.
Ten minutes later, Crewe scored again when Merrill made a break from the Crewe 15-metre, feeding Dan Hull who exchanged passes with Baldwin before powering over to the left of the posts for a converted try by Little.
Crewe were dominant and another break by Hull combined with scrum-half Kieran Allsop led to a try for replacement prop, Chris Sproston with his first touch of the ball.
Jamie Little kicked the conversion from near the touchline.
Walsall responded with two tries late on, with a Little penalty kick in between as the gap narrowed to 37-29.
But man of the match Little completed an outstanding kicking display when he slotted over a drop goal to finish the scoring at a 29-40 and secure a bonus point.
Head Coach Dudley was ecstatic after a turbulent week and assembling a new team.
The win puts Crewe & Nantwich in 8th place in Midlands West 1.
Meanwhile, the 2nds go from strength to strength with a fine win against Preston Grasshoppers in their new league.
Next week, Crewe welcome neighbours Whitchurch for a derby clash at the Vagrants, kick off 3pm.
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