A NEW-LOOK Crewe side came desperately close to winning their first game of the season at Rode Park on Saturday.
Featuring three debutants and new professional Imran Khlahid, Crewe, who were dismissed for 185, were forced to settle for a draw as Rode's last pair batted out the final over to close on 164 for 9.
David Hurst (48) top scored for Crewe and shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 53 with newcomer James Green (20) after Crewe were in trouble at 97 for 5.
Nick Lange (20) and Mark Hurst (35) had given Crewe a useful start and Khlahid (19) helped Hurst in a half-century stand.
Good bowling from Khlahid (3-25) and fellow left arm spinner Martin Webb (3-28) reduced Rode to 81 for 7. Despite Jo Boyle chipping in with 2 for 32, Crewe were unable to force victory but picked up a useful 11 points.
This Saturday they entertain relegated Checkley at Willaston (1.30pm) while on Sunday they are at home to Sandyford in the Talbot Cup at 2pm.
ELWORTH'S new skipper Murray Ranger lost his first toss and quickly saw his side tumble to a three-wicket defeat by Caverswall at London Road.
Elworth lost their first wicket at four before opener Kevin Underwood reached 17 when he was caught by Chris Baranowski.
Elworth were now in deep trouble at 17-4 but Rob Beech and newcomer Lee Morris steadied the ship. The partner-ship was just beginning to flourish when Beech was adjudged lbw for 28 off the bowling of Baranowski.
Morris was moving towards a debut 50, but when he overbalanced slightly to a leg-side ball from Danny Edge, Stokes was on hand with a smart piece of glove work and Morris was out for 46.
Matthew Buckley followed soon after for seven and keeper Tarek Alam managed 12 before he became Mir's fifth victim and Jim Higgins followed.
Only Alex Edmonstone (18) looked at ease but he ran out of partners at 140 when Scott Elliott followed without scoring to Mir who finished with impressive figures of 7-18 off 12.
After the interval, Caverswall openers Owen Price and Karl Cassidy made a fluent start, putting 26 runs on the board before Ranger got Price with another lbw.
Mir added 68 runs in partnership with Cassidy, who hit Ranger for 14 off one over including two fours and a six.
Caverswall won by three wickets with nearly 30 overs to spare. Elworth are away at Little Stoke next week.
WESTON (183-9 dec) were soundly beaten by Oakamoor (187-9) and BETLEY (84 ao) went down by 154 runs to Whit-more (238-9 dec) in Division Two.
