CREWE moved back into the top four of the South Lancs and Cheshire League Division Two after crushing whipping boys Moore at Willaston on Saturday.

As the first half unfolded, it was apparent that Crewe's front row were able to command the scrum and their power proved to be the route to success.

The three-quarters tried all sorts of different moves, but a combination of resolute tackling by Moore and last-ditch handling errors frustrated them.

It was left to Crewe's front row to take over the scoring. Prop forward Andy Pemberton showed the way with two driving tries before half-time.

With Moore stretched to near breaking point, surging runs up-field by Crewe's German international Andreas Reckewerth saw him rewarded with three tries. Veteran Harry Harrison, drafted in from the third team at the last moment, showed he still has a fine turn of speed at centre by helping himself to a couple of scores.

Player-coach Matt Farr added two conversions as Crewe completed the first half of the season only two points adrift of Sandbach in the second promotion spot and with a Thwaites Cheshire Plate semi-final to look forward to.

The seconds lost 14-12 to Manchester Wanderers, while the thirds won 24-3 at home to Sand-bach thirds.

Crewe's senior side have a well-earned rest this weekend, while the seconds are hoping to pick up a game through the fixture pool. The thirds visit Wilmslow in a North West League fixture.

St Edwards Old Boys 17 Sand-bach 19: Sandbach survived a late scare to cling on to second spot after a sloppy second-half performance on Saturday.

St Edwards had the chance to clinch victory when they won a last-minute penalty on the halfway line. But although the kick had the legs, it drifted to the left of the posts and, to Sandbach's relief, the referee blew for time as they grounded the ball in their 22.

St Edwards made a good start following an early penalty with a pushover try to take an 8-0 lead.

Sandbach replied with two penalties from the boot of Lee Pickles and went ahead when Tom Hughes created a massive gap for Ray Jones to run through unopposed for a try under the posts. Pickles converted and added another penalty to give Sandbach a 16-8 half-time advantage.

But the visitors paid the penalty for sitting back on their lead and St Edwards chipped away at their deficit with a couple of penalties - and they went into a one-point lead with another successful kick with seven minutes remaining.

Pickles restored Sandbach's lead with his 14th points of the game two minutes from time before St Edwards missed that late chance to steal victory.

Vice-captain Chris Busby said: 'We are only playing in fits and starts at the moment and nearly paid for sitting on our lead.

'We will be looking for a much better performance when we play Crewe and Nantwich in what will be a big game for both teams on December 20.'

Sandbach visit Anselmians in a friendly on Saturday.