VICTORY AT THE DEATH

Salians - 19 Crewe & Nantwich - 22

BOTH sides were looking for their first league win of the season at Sale on Saturday with Crewe and Nantwich eventually snatching victory in the last 10 minutes of an exciting but not too skilful game.

Salians struck early when a forward drive saw them break through a disorganised Crewe pack to score a try, convert it and score again this time through their three quarters.

Crewe, 12 points down, managed to win some ball and conjured up an excellent try with the ball being transferred quickly down the line for Martin Pemberton to finish off in the corner with Simon Robertson converting from the touch-line.

All seemed beyond reach however when immediately after half-time Salians restored their 12 point advantage when they went over courtesy of a non-tackling Crewe defence.

Although it was apparent Crewe were superior in the three quarters it was down to the forwards to win some sort of possession.

They responded magnificently by winning a five metre scrum to allow winger Keith Raftery to score and then pressure was rewarded when the ball popped out at the back of the Salians' scrum for the ever alert Cross to pick up a go over levelling the score at 19 points apiece.

A tense moment came when Crewe were awarded a long range penalty but Robertson calmly slotted the ball over to put Crewe ahead for its first time.

A frantic 10 minutes followed but Crewe held out although Robertson had to leave the field injured. There is now estimated to be a complete team of 15 unavailable for some time.

The seconds defeated Salians seconds by 34-0 with tries by Jeff Shaw, Jim Taw, Rob Pickersgill and Matthew Hill who also landed a conversion together with Kevin Naughton.

The thirds went down to a powerful Wilmslow side 22-0 with the Vets overwhelming Shrewsbury Vets by 52-12.

Next Saturday sees Crewe at home to Birchfield in a league game with the kick-off brought forward to 2.15pm to accommodate the viewing of England v New Zealand on TV at 4.30pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.