Crewe and Nantwich 26 vs Whitchurch 19
This was a topsy turvey game wih another heartbreak ending for Whitchurch. As early as the third minute, the Shropshire lads were hit with an injury to Alex Clarke. Tom Stone, normally a hooker, replaced him in the back row and gave a sparkling performance in that position. The game fluctuated with the red forwards again showing their power and grinding out territory.
It was an interception try by Abe Spragge from well in his own half that broke the deadlock. Spragge ran through the Crewe backs to score under the posts. Robbie Leighton, deputising for the absent skipper Nicholas, converted. Whitchurch thought they had a penalty try when Jack Furnival made a thrusting break and passed inside to Jack Rowley who was tenmetres short of the line when a high tackle stopped him. The referee gave only a penalty and yellow carded the Crewe player. Maddened at this, Whitchurch chose to kick for touch and then caught and drove over with Tom Hales getting the touch down. Leighton converted and as the half time whistle went, the visitors looked in total command.
The second half started in much the same manner and within minutes they went further ahead when they again declined the easy three points for a penalty and instead chose to kick for the corner. The powerful catch and drive was successful and Furnival dabbed down out wide. The 19 - nil lead looked ominous but then fate stepped in. Injury to Spragge saw him leave the field and soon two yellow cards followed. With thirteen men and a back division that were all playing out of position, the defensive structure fell apart and the rampant Crewe backs were soon carving holes and scoring tries. Whitchurch fought hard and were back to 14 men with only minutes to go were clinging to the lead when another gap opened and Crewe were level. With less than a minute to play, Shropshire hearts were broken when the disjointed red backline saw the big Cheshire centre burst through to score under the posts to complete what seemed an unlikely victory.
