DERBY DAZZLER (From Warrington Guardian)

DERBY DAZZLER

Sandbach - 36 Crewe & Nantwich - 19

THE Easter fixture between local clubs Sandbach and Crewe & Nantwich turned out to be a highly entertaining affair instead of the rather ragged and dour struggle of recent years.

Altogether a total of 8 tries were scored helped by a firm dry pitch and the warm spring sunshine encouraged both sets of players to sling the ball around. On the day Sandbach fielded the better side and thoroughly deserved to win with Crewe having a somewhat understrength team.

The home side started like a house on fire scoring after only five minutes and rattling up a total of 24pts with a further 2 tries and penalty only mid-way through the first half.

An embarrassing scoreline loomed for Crewe but the usual pattern this season was repeated as they recovered to claw their way back into the game, again as usual all too late. Dave Peters and Kevin Naughton went over for tries just before half time to reduce the deficit to 12pts, the score line 24-12.

After the break Jimmy Nicholls continued Crewe's revival with another try but Sandbach saw the danger, raised their game and with a couple of tries themselves came out in the end comfortable winners.

The game at Willaston saw Crewe 2nds continue their run of victories with a 12-8 win over Sandbach 2nds, Martin Pemberton and Dave Prosser scoring a try apiece plus a Rob Pickersgill conversion.

The 3rds lost at Sandbach by 12pts to 6.

With the club on tour to Ireland next week, Crewe still hope to field a team at Tyldesley and one at home to Tyldesley. The Vets are at home to Manchester (KO 3pm).

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.