CREWE CC 1st XI lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a vital 4 wicket victory over fellow strugglers Newcastle last Saturday.

Crewe invited their hosts to bat first on an extremely green wicket and Alan Clarke bowled a superb opening spell snapping up 5 wickets to leave Newcastle in desperate trouble on 35 for 6.

Young Nick Lange took the other wicket but after a break for rain Kashi Rao came in for some harsh treatment from Bunting (24) and Peter Ridgeway (36) who went for their shots in an effort to boost the total. Rao finally dismissed them both but Newcastle had recovered to 112 for 8 by tea.

After the break Clarke took his 6th wicket and Matt Dawson bowled Chris Ridgeway to leave Newcastle 120 all out. Clarke had the superb figures of 6-31 off 23 overs.

Crewe caused a surprise by opening the innings with Rao who has rarely shone with the bat whilst with the club but he and Simon Walton gave their side a great start putting on 49 in quick time before Walton was dismissed for 19.

Tony Waddington helped Rao take the score to 82 and Crewe seemed to be cruising to victory before Waddington was caught at deep square leg for 11, quickly followed by Rao for a fine 55 including 9 fours and a six.

Crewe then got the jitters losing 3 more wickets in quick succession before man of the match Clarke steered them home with a crucial 22 not out to clinch victory with 3 overs to spare.

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