Senior Academy extend unbeaten run at Preston Grasshoppers

Preston Grasshopper 0 Crewe & Nantwich 48.

With Crewe & Nantwich looking forward to their Centenary year next season, the Senior Academy visited Preston Grasshopper - officially, according to a well know search engine - the Oldest Rugby Club in the North of England, boasting 152 yrs of history and a long list of former players going on to become England Internationals, including 2003 World Cup Winners Will Greenwood & Iain Balshaw. Whilst Crewe also boast an impressive list of International's, from the Curry's and Jack Wright (England), Dave Johnson (Norway) and Andreas Reckewerth (Germany), as a club, Crewe can only look to the history and facilities of a true Northern powerhouse and hope to replicate its success over the next half decade.

With the game being played on the RFU funded AGP (plastic) playing surface, it took the Crewe players some time to adapt, handling proved difficult with the rain making the ball especially greasy. Crewe's usual game plan did keep Preston inside their own half and under pressure and all looked promising as Harry Leech raced down the wing following really slick handling by Jacob and Ben Applin.

Crewe spent the rest of the half throwing wave after wave of attack at the Preston defence, but for the final pass to not go to hand, or conceding a penalty at a pivotal point, eventually Alfie Johnson powered his way over the line, after strong work from the forwards, Logan Lynch added the extras. 12 points to nil at half time.

Crewe looked the far fitter team in the second half, and the larger Preston forwards started to struggle to cover the ground in defence, they also seemed to start to concede penalties on a regular basis, giving Logan Lynch an early chance to add to the score 15 - 0.

Logan scored the next try, following a chip over the top from Tom Ryle, he missed the conversion taking the score to 20 - 0

Crewe were now in full control, and seemingly scoring points every time they made it into Preston's 22. Jacob scored after the forwards secured good scrum ball, a simple backs move sent him under the posts untouched ; extras added.

The substitutes were now making serious impacts with Charlie Grinnell, Bill Putt and Bob Clews all having excellent games. Alfie got on the score sheet for a second time, now playing at 8 rather than his starting position on the wing due to an unfortunate injury to Adam Deegan. Not to be outdone, Jacob scored his second shortly after having a definite try disallowed as the official was unsighted, as he again powered over from a simple move in the backs, Logan again added the 2 point extras.

The final try of the afternoon was a solo effort from Jarrad showing us his pace and power to evade several defenders to score from outside the 22, the 2 point conversion was again successful.

Special mention must go to Ted Mottram, who at Thursdays selection meeting, was very unlucky to miss out on the match day 23; however, on Saturday, he was called up to the bench due to an injury. By Sunday, 20 min before kick off, Ted was asked to start the game, as an U17 playing for the 18's he did incredibly well and should be very proud of himself.

Thankyou to Preston Grasshoppers for the fantastic hospitality, warm welcome and marvellous playing surface. I hope we get the opportunity offer you the same courtesy in a return fixture.

Try Scorers - Harry Leech x 1, Alfie Johnson x 2, Logan Lynch x 1, Jacob A O'Donovan x 2, Jarrad P-Bird x 1
Conversions - Logan Lynch x 5
Penalties - Logan Lynch x 1