SANDBACH placed one hand on the championship trophy after winning their top-of-the-table clash with Sutton Coldfield.

With just three games left, skipper Tim Oakes' men look certain to run out as Midlands Three West (North) champions after opening up a four-point gap on their opponents in this hugely entertaining game.

The first quarter was a tight affair with both teams testing each other. Lee Pickles scored an unconverted try to give Sandbach a deserved 5-0 lead on 20 minutes.

The home side started to control the game and on 35 minutes a pick-up by Pickles released Adam Wilde who broke two tackles to score another unconverted try for 10-0.

Further pressure from the restart produced some great tackling that popped the ball free for Dan Massey to score with a conversion by Pickles to make it 17-0 at half-time.

Sutton were beginning to fade in the second half but great defending halted a Sandbach try under their posts. Following a missed penalty, Sutton broke out but to no avail.

On 75 minutes, Sandbach broke with Massey scoring a superb long-range effort on the wing for 22-0. Then, almost immediately, some superb running by the backs resulted in an unconverted try by Andy Nash.

At the death, some good play ended with Ross Stitt scoring a well-deserved try to take the score to 32-0. Although this was a very important victory, Sandbach are under no illusion they still have work to do.

A club spokesman said: 'Promotion looks likely but we have two tricky away fixtures at Ludlow and Shrewsbury with the last home fixture on March 31 against Yardliens.

'The whole team would like to thank the home support for the 'extra man' in the best game seen at Bradwall Road for a few years.'

Ashton-on-Mersey 21 Crewe & Nantwich 0: An under-strength Crewe side were taught a harsh lesson in commitment and adapting to the conditions as struggling Ashton did their relegation fight the world of good.

They remained camped in the Crewe half for most of the opening exchanges but the defence was strong and, although both sides missed kickable penalties, the score remained 0-0 into the break.

The second half was much the same as the first with Ashton taking the ball to Crewe at every opportunity. Eventually on 48 minutes their pack trundled the ball over the line for the opening score which was converted.

Five minutes later a poor clearance kick landed in the hands of a waiting Ashton player who ran through some soft tackling to score near the posts. The try was again converted.

Crewe couldn't put any meaningful passages of play together although their defence was magnificent and several Ashton chance were stopped short of the line.

It was only a matter of time, though, and with two minutes to go the Ashton pack drove over the line again for another converted try.

The second team beat Macclesfield 53-12, while the thirds lost to Northwich 10-3.

Crewe play hosts to Dukinfield in the quarter final of the Cheshire Plate on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.