CREWE and Nantwich RUFC got their season up and running with success at Ashton on Mersey.

Matt Farr's side bounced back from opening day disappointment against Dukinfield thanks to a 20-15 victory, last Saturday.

It wasn't plain sailing having spent the majority of the first-half in defence, sometimes desperately and at others cleverly clearing with probing kicks up field.

The one time Crewe got near the Ashton try line they won the ball at a five-metre scrum.

Prop forward Chris Pemberton appeared on the wing and dived over in the corner for the lead.

More line-out disasters pegged them back, losing their own ball and Ashton's stand-off landing a drop-goal before the break.

Whatever was said during the break worked as Crewe upped the ante and took control of the game.

Trademark forward drives of old gained possession for the threequarters to mount attacks.

Pressure gave Danny Lynch the chance to land a penalty and the visitors went further in front when Colin McCrae grabbed the ball following a scrum and crashed over the whitewash.

Ashton hit back but Crewe responded, finally winning a line-out and spinning the ball along the line for fullback Tom Baldwin to land a try.

Lynch's successful long-range conversion had them cruising at 20-8 but Ashton followed with a converted try to make it a tense finish.

Crewe held out to bag their first points of the season with cup action up on Saturday.

They travel to central Lancs side Newton-le-Willows in the Powergen Junior Vase.