CREWE bounced straight back into action to put on a powerful display at Orrell on Saturday.

Matt Farr and his men looked right on their game despite not having played for two weeks. Fast, direct play overwhelmed their hosts and set up a comfortable victory, in Division Two of the Euromanx South Lancs/Cheshire League.

An early five-metre scrum saw Crewe push their opponents off the ball, allowing Danny Potts to pick up and crash over for the opening try.

Orrell soon replied with a try of their own, before a Tom Maguire penalty punished a high tackle to hand the advantage back to Crewe.

Just before break Stuart Van Wyk went over after quick ball from the forwards, to give his side a 17-5 lead at the break.

The visitors ran away with it after the restart. Danny Potts got his second try, followed by efforts from brothers Will and Lee Gray. Maguire was in fine form, shrugging aside distance and strong wind to put over four conversions.

A club spokesman said: 'It's not like this every week! This win at least keeps us amongst the chasing pack at the top of the table.

'But we are still reliant on others dropping points and winning every game ourselves. A crucial encounter at Dukinfield looms next Saturday.'

Meanwhile, Sandbach were made to pay for missed opportunities as they went down 11-0 to Wilmslow.

Playing the rearranged Division One fixture at Bradwall Road, the hosts had the wind at the backs in the first half and needed to take advantage.

But despite maintaining good pressure, they failed to impact the score-sheet and it took crunching tackles from Tim Jones and Dan Massey to keep it to 0-0 at the break.

Wilmslow used the elements to better effect in the second period. But with just 10 minutes left, the game was still scoreless. However, two quick penalties from the visitors changed that.

Sandbach then went looking for the converted try and the win, but each time Wilmslow defended and cleared their lines. As the hosts pushed, Wilmslow sneaked a try to seal the match.

Sandbach 2nds pulled off an incredible 21-19 win over Widnes. Playing against a side which had thumped them 48-0 and 58-10 earlier this season, the omens looked poor when Sandbach were 14-0 down after just 10 minutes had been played.

But they fought back with tries from Dan Adams (2), and John Pemberton, along with three conversions from Richard Thomas, to lead 21-14.

Carey Prout broke his finger and had to be replaced as the visitors battled back to within two points.

A last minute penalty seemed destined to break Sandbach hearts, but it hit the post and the hosts held on. nCrewe and Nantwich U14s went down 25-22 in a tense encounter with Shrewsbury U14s. Debutant Dave Jenkins (2) and Kieran Flynn scored tries, while Scott Cann kicked a penalty and two conversions.