Crewe and Nantwich 14 vs Whitchurch 34
This game marks the half way point in the season and was always going to a big game to see who was top of the table at Christmas. Crewe and Nantwich unbeaten all season were at home for only the second time all season due to their changing rooms not being completed and were up for keeping that unbeaten record. It was the visitors though who had the early break through, with early pressure leading to the ball being passed wide all the way to winger Caeran Dunne to score in the corner. Whitchurch then started to control the game and following a lineout the ball came to the middle of the pitch where the forwards drove towards the Crewe line for veteran prop Steve Bloore to score under the posts with George Owen kicking the conversion. Crewe then started to get into the Whitchurch half and following a kick over the Whitchurch defence the ball bounced kindly for their hooker to catch the ball and score under the posts which was converted successfully to bring them to 1 score behind. The game was now in the balance and important for the Whitchurch team to get the next score which following a line out good ball was secured and passed out to second row man of the match Sam Warrington who used his strength and size to pass through some tackles to score just wide of the posts. Again kicked the conversion as he did a penalty just before the break to leave the score at 7:22 to the visitors.
After the restart Whitchurch were going forward and Crewe and Nantwich were penalised for successive penalties and a yellow card was given. With a quick penalty tap Whitchurch scrum half Max Clarke jinked through the home defence to score another try. Whitchurch were now in full control of the game and tested the solid Crewe and Nantwich defence but Steve Bloore took the ball on the half way line sold a brilliant dummy to pass a defender before passing to Liam Udy to run in from 20 yards to score under the posts for Owen to convert. The home side never gave up and all credit the Whitchurch backs putting in some great tackles but on the 21st minute Max Clarke was yellow carded and spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. The home side capitalised on this and scored a good try passing the ball along the backs for their centre to score. Whitchurch held on for the rest of the game and at the final whistle were worthy winners at 14:34.
This was a good test for the Whitchurch side who recently have been scoring at will but today saw them having to defend and work hard to find the gaps in a well organised Crewe and Nantwich defence. There will be some sore bodies on both sides following this physical game but it is Whitchurch that now sit top of the table at Christmas. There is now a 3 week break over the festive period before they travel to Newport on 10th. January who will also be looking to beat their local rivals after losing narrowly at Whitchurch earlier in the season.
The second team maintained their 100% record with a comfortable 42:0 win at Trentham with tries from young Tom Wynn scored twice, Will Lever scored on his first competitive match since returning from Australia, Callum Southall scored from a pushover scrum, James Ryder and Matt Morgan also crossed the line with Jimmy Leedham kicking 6 out of 6 conversions. This leaves Whitchurch top of Counties 4 North West and looking good for promotion. Their next game is January 10th where they entertain Burntwood 2nd’s at home, kick off 2:15pm
