Warrington 2nd 39 Crewe and Nantwich 2nd  10

WARRINGTON'S seconds remain unbeaten in 2017 after Saturday's convincing victory, avenging a 24-17 loss earlier in the season.

After a close first half, Warrington denied the visitors any score in the second period while they notched up a further 24 points.

It didn’t take long for Warrington to trouble the scoresheet, when excellent interplay between winger Matt Grimshaw and full-back Mark Tickle took them to within five metres of the visitors’ line.

Although Crewe forced a line-out, relief was short-lived as stand-off Shaun McDermott slotted an easy penalty when the visitors were caught off side in front of the posts in the next play.

Crewe turned to attack but a crunching tackle from versatile back rower Phil Lynch created loose ball for a Warrington counter.

A beautifully weighted kick from McDermott turned the Crewe winger and although the bounce eluded winger Luke Ferguson in hot pursuit it fell neatly to Tickle also on hand for a clear run to the posts to give McDermott another easy conversion.

Two minutes later the ubiquitous Lynch secured Warrington’s second try when he followed up an intelligent grubber kick from full back Tickle.

Warrington’s pack were also making themselves felt both in the tight, where they were getting the better of the set pieces, and in the loose, where bruising drives from prop James Jones, carried on by fellow prop Marlon and captain Shaun Yoxall, kept the visitors on the back foot.

Warrington, however, were caught off-side deep in the Crewe half and a stress relieving kick gained the visitors a line-out in the Warrington half.

Crewe retained possession and spread the ball down the line for a copybook try in the right corner to bring the score to 15-5.

Five minutes later the Crewe winger was on hand to profit from poor communication between Warrington’s full-back and winger by touching down for the visitors' second try.

On the stroke of half time Crewe narrowly missed a drop goal which would have seen them turn round only two points down.

However, from the restart Crewe were in trouble.

A deep kick to the corner from centre Griffiths had their full back under pressure and his skied kick fell into the welcoming arms of the not inconsiderable Jones who charged forward with relish.

Lynch continued the momentum handing on, fittingly, to Griffiths to score in the corner.

The restart resulted in a line-out from which Warrington drove through the forwards with captain Yoxall and the inappropriately named Josh Little leading the way.

Winger Ferguson got in on the act but sensibly turned the ball inside for Yoxall to cross for Warrington’s fourth try. Griffiths added the extras.

Having conceded 12 points in five minutes, Crewe seemed determined to repair the damage and pressurised the Warrington line through their forwards for the next 10 minutes.

Committed tackling kept Warrington’s line clear and seemed to break the visitor’s resolve.

With 20 minutes still on the clock, hooker Matt Bayliss made a rumbustuous 30 yards starting a drive which was finished off by a try from back rower Jayesh Kerai.  Griffiths converted.

Five minutes later a slick interchange between centre Tony Fretwell and full-back Tickle after a clean break by winger Ferguson would have resulted in a score but for the last pass being intercepted.

However, Ferguson then conjured a fine solo try with skill and determination.

Bumping off two would-be tacklers on the halfway line, he scampered down the touchline and, with a combination of hand-offs and dummies, eluded three more to cross in the corner.

The result leaves Warrington sixth in North West Intermediate League Division One.

Captain Sean Yoxall said: “Although we showed a lot of changes from last week, everyone combined well.

"I am particularly pleased with the ground made with our pick and drives where the support was good and no-one shirked the hard yards.”