Crewe & Nantwich 1sts bounced back from their cup disappointment to record another bonus point win in the league, beating Old Saltlians 39–19.
The bonus point win tightens Crewe’s grip on second place in the RFU Midlands 2 West (North) Division – seven points ahead of Spartans and only three behind league leaders Whitchurch.
But it started badly for Crewe as the visitors dominated early on and scored a try which to go 7-0 ahead.
Crewe steadied the ranks and a well worked move from the backs saw the ball passed across the pitch for full-back George Colebourne to score in the corner, which went unconverted.
The visitors extended their lead soon after.
A set of missed tackles and confusion in the Crewe backs allowed Old Saltlians winger to cross for their second try of the afternoon, which went unconverted, for a 12-5 lead.
A break through the middle of the park by hooker David Germain who offloaded to lock Joe Telfer soon lifted the gloom.
Telfer scored a great try, which was converted by Jim Creighton, for 12-12.
Crewe captain Toby Russell-Vick led by example when he made an excellent break from deep, throwing opponents out of the way.
He offloaded to winger Thom Vanstone who left the defence in his wake to score a superb unconverted try in the corner.
Minutes later, as the half was drawing to an end, Creighton atoned for his missed conversion when he sent a cross field kick deep into the opposition 22.
Andre Zwijnen caught the ball and touched down for Crewe’s fourth try which Creighton converted, making 24–12 at half-time.
Creighton extended the lead to 27-12 with a penalty.
Both teams struggled in the gloomy, wet and cold conditions after that.
Then Crewe No.8 Elliott Alston crowned an excellent performance when he scored a push over try from a rolling maul making it 32-12 for Crewe & Nantwich.
Crewe full back George Colebourne finished off an excellent move to score his second and Crewe’s sixth try with 10 minutes left.
Creighton slotted the easy conversion to make it 39-12 to Crewe.
Old Saltlians did manage a consolation try and conversion before the referee blew his final whistle for a final score of Crewe and Nantwich 39 -19 Old Saltlians.
Crewe Head Coach Peter Allen said: “To be fair to Old Saltlians, they made it very difficult for us for the first quarter of the game.
“I’m pleased how the players responded and from that poor start we got better and better as the game went on with both forwards and backs doing their jobs well.
“There’s still room for improvement and we have three tough games between now and the Christmas break so we need to maintain and improve our standards where necessary.
“Another bonus point win in the league is a great response from the lads to the disappointment of losing in the cup last week.”
Next Saturday, Crewe & Nantwich travel away to Spartans in the West Midlands who are third in the league. Kick Off 2.15pm.
(Pics by James Brewerton)
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