1st XV Men
Matches
Sat 20 Oct 2018  ·  Midlands 2 West (North)
Crewe & Nantwich RUFC
1st XV Men
40
38
Ludlow
1st Team Kick Start Their Season

1st Team Kick Start Their Season

Steve Holding24 Oct 2018 - 19:03
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https://www.cnrugby.uk/teams/9

Crewe welcomed league leaders Ludlow to the Vagrants park hoping to kick start their league season after 4 straight losses

Crewe welcomed league leaders Ludlow to the Vagrants park hoping to kick start their league season after 4 straight losses

Ludlow immediately put Crewe under pressure from their k.o. attacking the ball strongly forcing Crewe backwards, a series of quick plays allowing space for their right winger to go over in the corner 0-5. Crewe then settled after this early set back and gradually gained the upper hand and from a scrum under the Ludlow posts centre Josh McShane went over for a try converted by fly half Jim Creighton 7-5.

A knock on from the visitors gave Crewe a scrum in their half,from which a miss move in the backs gave full back Toby Ward coming into the line at pace the chance to commit the final defender and release left wing Elliot Meredith to sprint in,try converted by Creighton 14-5.

From the k.o. Crewe ran the ball back at the visitors, some good work by the forwards allowing scum half George Colbourne to force his way over the line to score the 3rd try, converted by Creighton to make the acore 21-5. More pressure from Crewe gave hooker Eli Woodward the opportunity to barrel his way across the whitewash in typical fashion, again this was converted taking the score 28-5. Ludlow responded straight away with good play sending over their speedy right wing for his second try 28-10. However good pressure from the restart from centre Thomas Roberts giving him the turnover to release Creighton who burst over the line, taking the final score of the first half 33-10.

Ludlow to their credit came out firing in the second half pinning Crewe back in their 22 for long periods, the home sides defence was strong initially but eventually the visitors number 8 forced his way over under the posts taking the score to 33-17 .Another try quickly followed from a lucky bounce in the Crewe 22 the visitors centre going over, closing the gap to 33-24 . Ludlow were right back in the game and the deficit was reduced further by the Ludlow right wing completing his hat trick, which was well converted, the score was now almost level pegging at 33-31 .Another try from Ludlow gave them the lead for the first time since the opening minute, 33-38, and Crewe looked to have suffered their fifth straight league loss. However the players had a different idea and from the k.o. the ball was turned over to release full back Ward who although tackled off loaded to Meredith who sprinted over for his second try, Creighton slotted the tough conversion to secure the victory. Full time score was 40-38.
The game was a cracker, a great advert for rugby, and a much needed first league win for Crewe !

Quote form Head Coach John Farr:
“All credit goes to the players this week. A tremendous win and another step in the right direction.
They showed that they are capable of sublime rugby and scored 6 incredible tries. However, we still have some work to do defensively and this, combined with a spirited Ludlow comeback, made for real heart attack territory.
Toby Ward was exceptional on a long awaited return, and Chris Sproston put in a Herculean effort
In the end though the men stood to and pulled together to allow Elliot Meredith to score an exhilarating winner at the death. Testament to the character of the squad.
At that point I thought, I can’t speak, we all can’t speak, best in the world, never mind anybody else.”

Match details

Match date

Sat 20 Oct 2018

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Midlands 2 West (North)

League position

1
Ludlow
10
Crewe & Nantwich
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main Sponsor - Cheshire Lamont
Main Sponsor - Clarke Metal Services
Sponsor - Unipart Rail
Club Sponsor - CTC Healthcare
Club Sponsor - Applewood Independent
Club Sponsor - Unnette Group
Club Sponsor - Keble Heath
Kit Provider - O'Neills Sportswear