CREWE'S recent revival came to a shuddering halt when they were thrashed by runaway league leaders Wood Lane on Saturday.

Visitors Wood Lane batted first and openers Eddie Gilhooly (79) and Steven Brierley (36) got them off to a great start with an 89 partnership.

Left-arm spinner Martin Webb made the breakthrough to remove both men, and went on to return 4-58 in a excellent personal show.

The other bowlers were tidy but less effective, and Wood Lane declared at tea on 205-5. Nick Lange (1-52) was the other wicket taker.

It was a tall order for Crewe, who were without the injured Mark Hurst and the holidaying Tom Gower, and they made a poor start when Lange was run out in the first over after a mix up with Ranadeb Bose.

Poor shots and kamikaze running resulted in two more run outs as they slumped to 29-6. David Hurst (13) and Bernie Bishop (10) were the only batsmen in double figures as Crewe capitulated to 54 all out.

Also in Division One, Elworth crushed Rode Park & Lawton with a commanding display. Batting first, they made 220-7dec with Murray Ranger hitting an impressive 75, assisted by Dave Palin (67).

In reply, the visitors were dismissed for 139, with Jim Higgins returning a superb 6-40.

Betley salvaged a vital seven points through a draw at Sandyford. The hosts made an imposing 224-9ic as Darren Snape took three wickets to restrict them.

Betley stone-walled their way to a draw, with Artif Zaidi (36) and Neil Harrison (34) taking the brunt of the Sandyford attack. They finished on 132-7.

In Division Two, Haslington kept up their superb recent form with a demolition job on Silverdale. Richard Bebbington (31), Dean Bedson (25) and Jonny Phipps (27) were modest top-scorers, but Sohail Tanvir (5-32) and Dave Moreton (5-34) made sure their efforts were more than enough, as they sent the visitors packing for 87.

Weston suffered a narrow defeat to visitors Caverswall. Batting first, the away side posted 180ao, with Saad Wasim (62), Stuart Fisher (33) and Martin Young (32) doing most damage.

In reply, Caverswall reached 183-9 after 50 overs, despite the valiant efforts of Asad Shah (4-73) and Ian Sandland (5-49). nChris Parr helped Elworth 2nds to an unlikely last-ball win against leaders Rode Park.

Batting first, the favourites posted a commanding 217-9, but Kev Ballard (72) and Chris Brereton (37) helped get them close, but four was needed off the last ball of the match.

And four they got, when Parr (64no) added to his maiden half-century with a sweet boundary to snatch all 20 points,

Other second team scores - Division One: Wood Lane 229-6dec (T Horn 4-42) Crewe 79ao; Betley 189ao (B Dumbill, D Snape 43) Sandyford.

Division Two - Silverdale 230-8 Haslington 165-8 (D France 44, G Davis 39, J Clayton 34); Weston 199-6 (A Young 42, G Jennison 40, R Heather 37, R Newton 43no) Caverswall 197ao (A Young 5-24).