CREWE maintained their recent revival by thrashing promotion-chasing Leycett.

In-form Nick Lange was a hero once again with a brilliant knock of 85 after skipper Matt Dawson did some serious damage with the ball.

His five-wicket haul left the hosts' innings in a shambles, 149 never good enough on that pitch, last Saturday.

A whopping eight-wicket upset ended the NSSC Division One title race and leaves Leycett looking over their shoulders with their current second spot still under threat.

Meanwhile if Crewe keep it up, a creditable top five-finish remains possible with three games still to go.

Substitute pro Naveed Ashraf could well be key, looking a good find on his performances so far.

He got the first breakthrough and a good scalp in Leicestershire Academy prospect Dan Redfern (16) before Lange also struck to leave the hosts reeling on 22-2.

Struggling to respond after being inserted, Andy Williams (16) and pro Sumit Panda (16) tried to get them going but ran into 16-year-old debutant Dan Colclough.

The youngster turned the game firmly in Crewe's favour with a dream start, clean bowling both batsmen in a promising spell of 2-17.

Top scorer Ian Boulton (31) revived home hopes, taking the score to 94-4 before wickets began to tumble for Dawson.

Richard White (19) was first to go while Ashraf (2-48) ended more brief resistance, trapping James Mayor lbw for 17.

Boutlon finally fell with the score on 144 as Dawson wrapped things up quickly with an impressive 5-26.

Chasing 150, Crewe made relatively light work of it thanks to Lange leading from the front.

Both openers combined to give the visitors a decent platform, sharing a stand of 53 before Mark Spencer was done lbw for 6.

Re-called Neil Hurst (19no) played the anchor role, sharing another half-century stand with Lange who played some fine shots on his way to smashing 12 thumping boundaries.

When Lange's splendid innings was ended, Ashraf came to the crease and thumped a rapid 35 not out to see Crewe breeze to 20 points.

They entertain Stafford at home this Saturday, start 12.30pm.