CREWE climbed the NSSC Division One table after a thrilling victory at high-flying Rode Park.

All credit to Matt Dawson and the boys who had to knock off 233 to secure their second win of the season, last Saturday.

Joe Boyle led the chase with a fantastic 80 to his name as opener Mark Hurst also delivered in a solid innings of 64.

And it all went down to the wire, Crewe crossing the line in the penultimate over with two wickets intact.

After an impressive performance against Betley didn't quite yield the points it should have done, they made sure on this occasion.

Not without a fight though as the second-placed hosts rallied to post an imposing total.

Park's openers got them off to a reasonable start with a stand of 46 before spinner Martin Webb began to turn things Crewe's way.

Three wickets, with two thanks to fine catches from Gower, had the home side wobbling but professional Lovelock (46) and opener Orme (67) restored order.

Both finally fell to Webb in a long spell of 19 overs that saw him record fine figures of 5 for 82 as Park were back in trouble at 169-7.

Frustration followed for Crewe as the next two wickets added 65 runs before Dawson's brilliant catch and a slick stumping from Mark Hurst broke partnerships before the teatime declaration.

The visitors soon announced their intentions, in-form openers Hurst and Nick Lange putting on a rapid 51 before the latter was ousted, lbw for 33.

Tom Gower didn't last long before Boyle joined Hurst to give their teammates the perfect platform.

The duo slowly rebuilt the innings before a series of fine shots had Park on the back foot.

A superb stand of 134 was finally ended when Boyle was caught and bowled however Lange went on to take Crewe to within 24 runs of victory.

Overs were running out and three more wickets tumbled as they looked to up the ante.

Martin Page hit a crucial six before Mike Holt smashed the winning boundary with only a few balls left.

Crewe claimed 20 points, with Rode Park consoled by nine.

Disappointment followed in the NSSC Twenty/20 competition on Sunday.

Crewe suffered an agonising one-run defeat to Premier side Checkley and also lost by four wickets to hosts Hem Heath.

Webb had another good day with six wickets out of the two games, including both pros Aakash Chopra and Goolam Bodi.

Boyle also picked up where he left off, top scoring for Crewe in both innings.

They entertain third-placed Leycett on Saturday.