Crewe & Nantwich 8 vs Whitchurch 9

At the start of the week this game was in jeopardy due to pitch being underwater but thanks to a few drier days at the end of the week was playable. This local derby was always going to be a hard-fought game after Crewe coming out on top by 3 points at Whitchurch earlier in the season. Whitchurch were hampered in the warm up when captain Jimmy Hockenhull aggravated a calf injury and had to drop out. The game started very tight with the Crewe and Nantwich scum overpowering the lads in red, but some great tackling by everyone kept the scoresheet blank. It was following a scrum that led to a penalty after 18 minutes following Brook Hill got yellow carded which Crewe converted to go three points up. Whitchurch coach Jordan Davies then made a change in the front row with Tommy Hale coming on. This steadied the ship for Whitchurch and then were rewarded with a penalty on the half hour mark which Robbie Leighton converted. It was stalemate until half time going in at 3 all.

The second half continued in the wet conditions with both sides finding it hard to make a breakthrough to score a try but following some good Whitchurch pressure a penalty was awarded some 35 metres out which Leighton took and after the ball landing on the bar and bouncing over Whitchurch took the lead for the first time 3:6. This spurred the vagrants on and spent time in the Whitchurch territory and after some valiant defending Crewe finally drove over in the corner to score the only try of the game. The conversion was missed and so Crewe retook the lead to go 8:6 up with 20 minutes to go.

Both sides cancelled themselves out for the next 25 minutes but the Crewe defence were penalised again on 65 minutes for Leighton to successfully kick Whitchurch back in the lead. Crewe had a glorious chance to retake the lead when there backs worked well together but managed to knock the ball on with the last pass. The Whitchurch team them held firm and managed to hold on to the final whistle to win the game 8:9.

Every single player put their bodies on the line with some heroic tackling, non-more so than Jake Bailey who was nominated man of the match.

Next week Whitchurch are at home to Douglas (Isle of Man) with an early 1pm kick off.