CREWE and Nantwich RUFC progressed in the Powergen Junior Vase after a solid 30-12 victory at Newton-le-Willows.

Matt Farr's makeshift side recovered from a nightmare start to see off the central Lancashire side and reach round two, last Saturday.

With several players unavailable, Crewe were forced to make wholesale changes to the side that won 20-15 at Ashton-on-Mersey.

And they looked in for a traumatic afternoon with the forwards slow and lethargic while the Newton threequarters walked through poor tackling to break through at will.

Newton looked set for a big score with 12 minutes gone, coasting to a 12-0 lead with two tries and a successful conversion.

However the Crewe players dug deep and the pack finally began to take control.

Andy O'Keeffe sparked the revival, making up a lot of ground on the wing to score in the corner.

Good work from the forward led to Farr's try before the same man added a penalty for a surprise 13-12 lead.

Superior fitness told after the break with Crewe punishing some questionable tactics from the hosts.

Stuart Van Wyk broke through to extend their lead before a neat pick up and drive-over saw Colin McCrae add the fourth try.

Farr converted both and sealed Crewe's spot in round two of the national competition with a successful penalty.

Crewe return to league action at home to Manchester Wanderers on Saturday, KO 3pm.