HOCKEY: CREWE Vagrants turned in a sparkling display to eclipse City of Manchester on Saturday securing a comfortable three points with a 3-0 victory.

The visitors took control from the start, dictating play and passing the ball around well to open up space and achieve territorial dominance, with Gary Roberts shooting over the bar and Dave Holland, Paddy Leese, Roberts and Nick Marshall passing fluently in front of goal.

On 13 minutes Roberts slipped the ball through for Neil Darling to lash home and open the scoring. City's counter-attacks were snuffed out comfortably, though Crewe had two lucky escapes within a minute when a cross flew across goal and a shot screamed just over the bar.

Paul Lambsdale and Mark Ritchie were solid in defence, and on 24 minutes Dave Capper fired Crewe 2-0 ahead with a fine shot into the left-hand corner.

Crewe piled on the pressure in the second half, Roberts firing just wide from a short corner, Capper going close, Holland just failing to loft the ball in from Darling's pass, then missing with a cracking drive after a brilliant run.

City responded briefly, forcing a diving save from Ravi Kaler before Holland lashed a fierce strike into the left-hand corner to convert a short corner and put Crewe 3-0 up.

City pressed in the final minutes, but were denied by stout defence. An impressive all-round performance from a Crewe side that was far superior on the day.

Crewe Vagrants second team faced up to Neston South Wirral knowing they had to improve on last week's performance.

It started well with the first 10 minutes of play being in the Neston half. Quick, short passes and movement off the ball saw Crewe rain in shots from Graham Cooke, Rob Jepson and Henry Weir.

Neston fought back, and won a series of short corners which were easily dealt with by the Crewe defence of Rich Slater, Phil Morrant, Danny Oaks and Rob Jepson.

Neither team could find the back of the net before the break, but Neston took the game to their opponents after the restart.

Russ Howard, Steve Bowyer and Dave Pickthall combated their forward advances, but the pressure limited Crewe's attacking opportunities and the game finished 0-0.

A brace from Paul Owen was not enough to prevent the thirds going down 3-1 against Runcorn 2nds, while the fourth team lost 2-1 against Bebington 6ths.

Crewe Vagrants ladies' first team lost to Southport by a solitary goal despite dominating play.

Crewe created numerous chances but were unable to find a way past Southport's in-form goalkeeper. Their best chance fell to Bev Jackson who hit a shot straight at the goalkeeper when clean through.

In the dying minutes Southport converted a short corner which broke Crewe hearts.

Crewe ladies thirds crushed Macclesfield 4-1. An early goal from Alison Smith settled nerves but Macclesfield quickly equalised.

Lynn Taylor grabbed a second, while Sarah Crowther-Green notched a third after the break. Lynn's second made the final score 4-1.