CREWE and Nantwich must stop the rot if they want to pick up silverware this season.

With promotion from the South Lancs/Cheshhire League Division Two now well out of sight, they entertain Ellesmere Port on Sunday (3pm) in the Thwaites Cheshire Plate semi-final.

It is now coach Nick Price's side only chance of lifting a trophy this season. But they have to reverse a worrying trend of defeats to make the final, after slipping to their fifth consecutive loss at the weekend.

A club spokesman said: 'There can be no argument we are undergoing a rather traumatic time. If it had not been for points gathered earlier in the season we would be in dire danger of rele gation.

'This has led to a crisis of confidence. Our three other teams have no fixtures as it is Easter and it is hoped they will rally round by supporting the first team at Vagrants Park.'

Rampant Wallasey notched three tries and were 17-0 up at the break. But captain Andy Pemberton rallied his troops and grabbed a try himself as the visitors hit back.

Fly-half Danny Lynch then joined a forward surge to ground the ball over the tryline, and his subsequent conversion brought his side to within a single score of their opponents. But the hosts popped over a penalty to make the game safe.

* Crewe and Nantwich youngsters enjoyed a successful Sunday for silverware at the Telford Festival.

Clubs from across the Midlands, Shropshire and Yorkshire came to compete, but the South Cheshire outfit's U11s and U8s came home as champions, while the unlucky U9s were runners-up.

The U8s fought back from 3-0 down to win a dramatic final against Lichfield in extra time. The U11s won all six of their games, conceding just one try.

The U9s drew their final but lost the cup on overall festival results, while the U7s were unfortunate to miss-out on a semi-final berth after some good team performances.

* Meanwhile, the club's U15s stormed into the final of the Cheshire U15 Plate with a 43-7 win over Marple. Try-scorers were Jack Lawrence (2), Ben Sportun (2), Sean Harper, Ross Cooper and Ben Widdowson. Scott Cann kicked four conversions.

A spokesman said: 'This was one of the best team performances of the season. The team deserve their place in the final on May 6.'