Northern Division
Oswestry Firsts 44, Crewe and Nantwich 17
OSWESTRY decimated unbeaten league leaders Crewe and Nantwich when they visited Park Hall at the weekend.
The home side were ahead within the first five minutes after Andy Howell took a penalty, but Crewe and Nantwich then came back and after a good spell of pressure scored a try in the corner, which was dually converted.
However, Oswestry then got themselves back in the game with two consecutive penalties in the next seven minutes, which were both successfully taken by Howell.
Oswestry’s positive play continued and in the 20th minute finished with a good back move from Rob Massam, converted by Howell.
The home side continued to pressure Crewe and Nantwich, with a forwards try by Sam Wright, again converted by Howell and taking the teams to 23-7 at the halfway marker.
After the break, Crewe and Nantwich won a penalty, but a mistake soon after saw Wright pick up the ball and take his second try, converted by Howell. This was followed by a strong run of phases by Oswestry from the kick off, as Massam completed a trademark run from the half way line to score his second try. Howell took the conversion to add the extra points.
Unfortunately, both Wright and Scott Faulks were then given yellow card, leaving Oswestry with just 13 players and having to defend hard for 10 minutes. Crewe and Nantwich took advantage and scored a try, which was converted. However, once the Oswestry players had reformed, with three substitutions including Wright and Faulks, the home side came back as Massam scored his third try, converted by Howell, to give Oswestry an impressive 44-17 win and hand Crewe and Nantwich their first defeat of the season.