CREWE and Nantwich RUFC face another season in SLC Division Two despite winning 18-10 at Ormskirk.
Promotion hopes were up in smoke after rivals Oldershaw snatched a top two finish with victory at Dukinfield, last Saturday.
Just to rub a little more salt in, they almost blew it - edging home by a single point (11-10).
Although ultimately in vain, Crewe did what they needed to do with a six successive victory.
Coping with an icy wind, it was also a nightmare start as the home side took a fifth minute lead through their winger who latched onto a loose pass and ran through virtually unopposed.
Crewe fought back and a powerful drive after a five-metre scrum enabled scrum-half Will Brown to find quick ball for centre Stuart Van Wyk to crash over.
Danny Lynch converted but Ormskirk hit back with a second try for a 10-7 interval lead.
With the wind now at their backs, Crewe failed to take real advantage but grabbed an all-important second try thanks to Will Potts from a line-put.
Constant pressure forced the home side to concede penalties and Lynch put over two for victory.
Frantic phone-calls to find out Oldershaw's plight revealed the bad news for Crewe.
They wrap up their league programme at Manchester Wanders on Saturday week.
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