Crewe & Nantwich RUFC suffered another heart-breaking home defeat when they lost narrowly 23-27 to Kenilworth at the Vagrants.
Crewe remained unchanged for the first time this season and were hoping to secure a second home victory of the season in Midlands 1 West League.
The hosts started well and pressurised the Kenilworth line for the first five minutes, however Kenilworth managed to turnover the ball and broke down the right deep into the Crewe half.
The defence was caught offside and Kenilworth kicked a penalty to earn their first points.
Crewe’s No.8 Ben Ham led from the front and made an incisive break in midfield on the Kenilworth 10m line.
Kenilworth cleared but only into the arms of centre Joe Gammage, who set off on a searing run to outpace the defence and score in the right hand corner.
Kenilworth’s pack worked their way into the match and started to win ball.
From a scrum midfield on the Crewe 22, their No 8 picked up and burst clear. Kenilworth worked the ball to the left and weak tackling resulted in a try for the visitors.
Soon after, Crewe hooker Eli Woodward’s big tackle prevented another try just before half-time.
Moments later, Crewe moved forward and a penalty kick was awarded close to the halfway line. Fly-half Jamie Little kicked it to make it 8-8 at the break.
Kenilworth took control soon after, scoring two tries in a 10-minute period to take the lead to 20-8.
The hosts switched off and coughed up easy balls to Kenilworth from first the kick-off and then a turnover midfield.
Once more, the hosts produced a comeback.
Little kicked a penalty for an offside by Kenilworth and then No 8 Ham touched down after great work by full-back Toby Ward who collected a Kenilworth kick and ran from deep.
The conversion was kicked by Jamie Little, as Crewe trailed 20-18.
A few minutes later, Ham won a line-out and the ball was moved to the right.
From an ensuing penalty, the ball was quickly tapped and moved through hands to left wing Charlie Hutchings, who managed to squeeze over in the left hand corner for a well taken try.
Crewe were now leading 23-20 with nine minutes to play.
But their ability to close a game out when leading, again evaded them.
Home players were guilty of playing too much rugby in their own half, and they suffered the consequences.
A failed counter-attack by Crewe led to a Kenilworth line-out, and a catch and drive try was then engineered by the visiting pack with a successful conversion leaving a final score of 23-27 to Kenilworth.
The defeat leaves them in 10th place in Midlands 1 West.
Next week Crewe are away at Leek, kick off 2.15pm.
There were good wins for Crewe & Nantwich RUFC 2nds (home) and away wins for 3rds and 4ths on Saturday.
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