Crewe & Nantwich RUFC continued their fine away form by edging out Bournville 33-29 in a thriller in Midlands 1 West.
The Vagrants side stepped up to the mark against a team playing at National 3 last season.
And Crewe took the lead on seven minutes when forwards James Wivell, Chris Sproston and Eli Woodward drove forward.
The ball then went through quick hands to the right with winger Tom Baldwin scoring in the corner after a 30 metre run for an unconverted try.
But Bournville hit back and poor tackling by Crewe presented them with three tries and two conversions for a 19-5 half time lead.
Crewe & Nantwich head coach Andy Dudley read the riot act at the break.
And it had an impact. The second half started well for Crewe as Wivell and Woodward linked with Ben Ham.
The ball moved to the left via Toby Ward and then left wing, Tim Cowap, gained 30 metres before switching and Baldwin darted under the posts for a try converted by Little.
Bournville responded with a try from as five-metre scrum under the posts.
But the visitors then engineered an outstanding try form a a kick fielded by Baldwin deep in the Crewe half.
He fed fullback Ward who passed to winger Eddie Spibey. He scorched down the left weaving in and out of defenders, setting up a ruck near the Bournville 22.
Crewe then moved the ball in a series of exchanges via Wivell and Killian Roche, finishing with No 8 Ben Ham who scored under the posts for a fabulous try. The try was converted by Little.
Bournville replied with another well taken try almost immediately to restore their lead to 29-19 as they conversion was missed.
The Crewe pack turned up the heat, and prop forward Sproston scored to the left of the posts converted by Little, to make it 29-26 to Bourneville.
And with just two minutes left, Crewe’s pack pushed a Bournville scrum backwards with a devastating drive to take the ball against the head.
Ham picked up the ball and fed Roche, who scored under the posts to win the match, converted by fly-half, Scott Cann, for 33-29.
Director of rugby Andy Brown said: “80 minutes of rugby came down to one scrum…a massive effort and sweet return with an excellent win.
“New signings Ben Ham and James Wivell made significant contributions throughout the game with their carries, tremendous work rate and all round communication benefitting the team and we look forward to the team developing over the coming weeks.”
Next week they welcome second-placed Bridgnorth to the Vagrants.
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