Ruskin Park 7 Crewe and Nantwich 19 THIS was another disappointing result which adds to Ruskin's relegation worries.

Once again, it was the power of the opposition pack that gradually wore down the home eight to pave the way for a valuable if unspectacular victory.

But victory would have gone to the home side if they had not thrown away two gilt-edged chances in each half.

The loss through injury of six members of the back division, has taken the edge off Park's attacking skills, but all credit to their replacements whose effort and commitment cannot be faulted.

Indeed it was one of these replacements, Unsworth, who opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, following a break by Kevin Davies. Pilkington converted. Crewe struck back almost immediately with a converted try by full-back Harrison, but despite intense pressure could not add to their score before half-time. With the wind at their backs in the second half, Ruskin were in confident mood, but the big Crewe pack upped their work rate and were rewarded with a push over try on the hour.

Ruskin now threw caution to the winds and tried to run the ball at every opportunity. Pilkington was tackled just short as was Andy Crehan, but the equalising try just would not come. Finally, deep into injury time, Park tried to run a penalty from inside their own 22, only for Crewe centre Bexon to intercept and score under the posts.

Other results: Ruskin Park 3rd 18 Crewe and Nantwich 3rd 14, Ruskin Park 4th 38 Sandbach Vth 12.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.