CREWE and Nantwich RUFC picked up a crucial 8-7 victory over Manchester Wanderers, last Saturday.

Harry Harrison's try and a Danny Lynch penalty proved enough to secure a big result over promotion rivals in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two.

In a highly competitive game of rugby, Crewe's drive and inter-passing among the forwards kept them just in front although Manchester came close to stealing it at the death.

Crewe opened the scoring when they took play up the field from their own 25 metre line, the ball going through numerous hands before Harrison finished it off with a burst of speed.

Shortly after the veteran crossed the whitewash, Danny Lynch stepped up to land a penalty that gave them an 8-0 lead.

But Manchester hit back and replied with a thrilling try when the full back jinked his way through despairing tackles to score with the subsequent conversion making it 8-7 at the break.

Although both sides gave it their all, no scores were added in the second half with defensive tackling of the highest quality.

Crewe had a major let-off in the dying stages when a penalty attempt from Manchester rebounded off the crossbar and ended up cleared by an alert defence. Crewe need to keep the momentum going as they entertain mid-table Ormskirk, this Saturday, KO 2.15pm.

A tough draw in the Powergen Junior Vase now awaits.

Crewe will have to travel to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to meet Gosforth in the Fifth Round on December 18.