CREWE once again returned empty-handed from an away clash on Saturday, collapsing spectacularly in the second half against Leeds.

The Vagrants had held the home side to a single-goal lead until well after the break but Crewe capitulated and were comfortably beaten.

Crewe produced several attacks but it was Leeds who, on 12 minutes, broke through on the left, meeting little resistance, and hammered home for 1-0.

They had the best of the possession with forwards lining up near goal for a scoring chance, and Crewe looked ragged with no cohesion in midfield.

Capper attempted to hustle his way through the home defence but could not get a shot in, and Ramli fired straight at the keeper before another short corner went begging. Holland's drive was blocked and Rob Jepson failed to net from the ensuing melee.

Weir produced a fine dribble at the start of the second half, setting up Tim Alexander who lacked the speed to round the keeper and exploit the chance.

Leeds again put Vagrants under pressure, forcing a goal-line clearance and then two corners in quick succession, the second on 16 minutes, taking the score to 2-0.

Crewe pressed hard in reply but it was to little effect, and as Leeds threatened, the pressure told and they made it 3-0 on 28 minutes.

A minute later, with Scott advancing too far out, the hosts made it 4-0. Ashworth grabbed a consolation goal for Crewe after Jepson's shot looped the keeper from close range on 32 minutes, but the visitors had little fight left and Leeds sealed their fate at 5-1 with a simple tap-in in the second minute of stoppage time.

It was a toothless last 20 minutes for Vagrants, who buckled dramatically when more fire and cohesion might well have turned the game round.

Doncaster 2nds visit the Vagrants Club on Saturday.

* Crewe 2nds got their campaign back on track with a fine performance and emphatic 7-1 victory against Bowdon.

They played excellent hockey, which was rewarded when their first goal went in. Steve Bourne found Andrew Ticehurst at the back line, who then slotted the ball across the D for Graham Cooke to tap home.

Things got better as, a minute before half-time, Neil Darling struck home a short corner.

After half-time, Crewe pressed for more goals and they came in the shape of Darling, Greg Alcock, Chris Regan, Cooke and Phil Robinson, who completed the rout with a good one-two and powerful strike.

Crewe visit Alderley Edge 3rds on Saturday.

* Crewe Vagrants Ladies got back to winning ways after Bev Jackson bagged herself a hat-trick against Wigan in a 3-2 victory.

Their first goal came after a string of one-touch passes which Jackson eventually slotted home. Crewe seized the moment and, shortly after their first goal, Tracey Brookfield injected a quick ball into the danger zone and Jackson once again slotted home to put Crewe 2-0 ahead.

However, Crewe then seemed to take their foot off the peddle and allowed Wigan back into the game.

By midway into the second half, Wigan were back on even terms but, with only five minutes to go, Connolly fed Ali Smith who got a vital touch to push the ball goal bound, and Jackson pounced to make sure Crewe took all three points.

Crewe Ladies are away to Deeside, Tarporley, on Saturday.