OPENER Nick Lange held Crewe together for a deserved draw with negative Leycett.

His brilliant innings of 91 set them up for their just rewards against a side surprisingly cautious given their lofty third place in NSSC Division One.

Almost everybody at the Vagrants expected a declaration at tea with the visitors in the box seat on 252-7, last Saturday.

However their intentions became very clear when Ian Boulton and Darren Walker emerged with their pads still on.

Maybe Crewe's successful chase of 233 the previous weekend had scared them off because Leycett also adopted a defensive field when finally deciding to take the ball.

It was inexplicable really after making the most of perfect batting conditions.

Dan (44) and Tom Redfern gave Leycett a steady start before professional Ranadeb Bose removed both quickly to leave them 54-2.

Although Andy Williams (19) also fell to Lange, there was no crisis.

Indian pro Sumit Panda (60) and Boulton began to get the visitors into a strong position before skipper Matt Dawson eventually made the breakthrough.

Bose (3-48) came back to remove Mayor lbw for 2 but Rob Heath (30) joined Boulton for another solid stand as they surpassed 230.

Lange also starred with the ball, taking his figures to 3-70 but Leycett had reached a formidable 252-7 and looked a solid bet for the win at tea.

Surprisingly, Boulton was back with the bat and went on to make an unbeaten 72 as the visitors stayed at the crease far too long - the declaration finally made on 268-7.

Steady so far this season, the combination of Lange and Mark Hurst (15) got Crewe off to a decent start with a stand of 47 before Walker struck.

Although big guns Tom Gower and Joe Boyle (15) failed to make a serious impression, Lange looked in good nick as he and Bose saw Crewe into three figures.

However when the pro suffered an unlucky run-out, wickets began to tumble and the hosts were in deep as 112-3 quickly became 123-6.

Martin Page helped Lange put on 33 to keeps hopes of a draw alive before the opener's fine knock was finally ended just nine runs short of a well-deserved century.

A cool 21 from Page helped secure maximum batting points but when he fell, 12 overs still remained with only two wickets standing.

Mark Spencer (6no) and Mike Holt (20no) defied everything Leycett threw at them to see Crewe close on 196-8, meaning eight points apiece.

Still fifth-bottom although in touch with the mid-table pack, they travel to Stafford on Saturday.