CREWE Vagrants' winning streak came to an end as they were held 3-3 at Northop Hall.

A shadow of their recent selves, the 1st XI still looked likely to claim their ninth victory until a late leveller.

You'd never have guessed it with the way Crewe started, enjoying heavy territorial supremacy with James Capper only denied by a fine save on just 3 minutes and Dave Holland going close from a short corner soon after.

The duo looked likely earlier on but the tide surprisingly turned with Crewe keeper Ravi Kaler saving on his knees twice and producing more heroics before he was beaten on 16 minutes.

Shell-shocked Vagrants looked ragged as Northop maintained the onslaught with Jon Woodhart, Paddy Leese and Nick Marshall all forced to make critical clearances.

Crewe weathered the storm and were back on level terms at the break when Tim Alexander was brought down and Holland coolly converted the penalty flick.

An overruled penalty flick award didn't deter in the second half as Crewe took charge just five minutes into the restart.

Holland bagged his second of the match, hammering home a short corner.

Neil Darling and Andrew Ashworth both missed close-range chances soon after and paid for it when the home side equalised.

Northop began to look the better side but a lovely move from Crewe restored their advantage, involving Roberts and Darling with Ashworth finishing in style.

Capper led a late charge to wrap it all up but Vagrants were forced to share the spoils when caught on the break.

The 1st XI stay top of NHL Division Two West by two points from new second place side Manchester who leapfrogged Bolton with a 5-2 win.

No game for them, this Saturday.

The 2nd XI dropped into the bottom two with a 5-2 defeat at home to Oxton. Despite a decent start, Crewe conceded a soft goal against the run of play and things got worse as they faced a 2-0 deficit at half

time.

Good stick work from Henry Weir and Greg Alcock revived hopes but with the final finish lacking, Oxton hit on the break once again for 3-0.

Andrew Ticehurst finally gave Vagrants something to shout about, planting a power strike beyond the keeper only for Oxton to respond once again.

Rob Jepson added another consolation before the visitors bagged a fifth. In the NWHL Division Four drop zone, the 2nds take a break with a friendly at home to Bramhall; start 1.30pm.

Same story for the 3rd XI, stuck in the same place in Division Five South following a 6-1 hiding at Wilmslow.

All over by the break, the high-flying hosts were 5-0 before Crewe enjoyed an improved second half with

Ryan Griffiths on target. They also have no match this Saturday.

There was more disappointment for the Ladies 1st XI, stung 3-2 at home to Wigton.

Crewe looked on course for an important win but conceded two in the last 10 minutes to seal their fate.

The visitors finally broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half and were only denied a quick double by the reflexes of keeper Hayley Agnew who saved a penalty stroke.

Vagrants rallied and Dionne Johnson levelled before Shez Tomkinson put them 2-1 in front. Sally Cowap's injury forced a re-jig and Wigton took advantage, scoring two quick goals for victory.

The Ladies 3rd X enjoyed a better afternoon, drawing 1-1 at South Cheshire. Gillian Matthews was on target before a lucky leveller saw the hosts salvage a point.