Crewe & Nantwich RUFC clawed their way back from 12 points down for another fine win against Ludlow, 45-33, writes Gwil Roberts.
Ludlow, in 8th place, arrived at second place Crewe desperate for points to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
And the visitors started well at the Vagrants by scoring a stunning breakaway try in the corner which was converted to go 7-0 up after five minutes.
Ludlow could have gone further ahead soon after but for two try-saving tackles by Crewe scrum half Alex Caldwell and left wing Josh McShane.
Crewe soon composed themselves and 10 minutes later drew level with a pick and go try from close to the Ludlow try line by flanker Matt Standley, converted by Jim Creighton (pictured).
Crewe continued to put pressure on their visitors and it paid off when a scrum five metres out saw No.8 Elliot Alston pick the ball up and crash over to score the second try of the game which was converted by Creighton for Crewe to go 14-7 ahead.
The visitors played good open rugby, attacking Crewe at pace and they broke through to score another converted try to draw level 14-14.
From the restart, Ludlow attacked again and imposed sustained pressure deep inside the Crewe half.
They were awarded a penalty and Crewe winger Josh McShane was sin-binned for 10 minutes.
Ludlow took advantage soon after when they scored a try to take the lead 19-14.
Then at the end of the half, Ludlow exposed the left flank to score their fourth try in the corner, converted to make it 26 -14 to Ludlow at the break.
The half-time talk seemed to work for Crewe.
Home team hooker David Germain crashed over to score a try under the posts soon after the restart, converted by Creighton.
Ludlow were now finding it hard to get out of their own half.
Crewe pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty kicked by Creighton to reduce arrears to 24-26.
Crewe then took the lead with a stunning try made by their backs and finished off by winger Elliott Meredith in the corner.
Creighton converted and now it was 31-26 to the hosts.
It wasn’t long before they extended their lead when captain Toby Russell-Vick ran an excellent line to crash over, which Creighton converted to make it Crewe 38 – 26 Ludlow.
The visitors rallied and in the last 10 minutes their backs found a way through Crewe’s defence to score a try an closed the gap to 38–33.
It looked like it was going to be a nervous few minutes.
However Crewe kept Ludlow back inside their own half from the restart.
And from a scrum five metres from the Ludlow line, the Crewe pack pushed them back for flanker Alistair Lang to score a push over try.
Creighton converted again to put the game to bed.
It means Crewe remain 2nd in the league with a five-point gap ahead of third place.
Crewe & Nantwich head coach Peter Allen said: “We showed a lot of character, grit and determination to come back and win this game today and scoring six tries was also very pleasing.
“However we also conceded too many tries due to poor discipline and missed tackles.
“We will work on these aspects and keep on improving in order to maintain our push towards the top of this league.”
Man of the match was Crewe centre and skipper, Toby Russell-Vick.
On Saturday November 11, the 1sts make the short trip away to Newcastle RFC in the league, kick off at 2.15pm.
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