LUDLOW slipped to their first defeat of the season as Midlands Two West (North) strugglers Crewe and Nantwich won a pulsating contest 40-38.

A home win looked unlikely when Ludlow flew out of the blocks, a slick passing move sending Joe Doyle over inside the opening minute.

And more would have followed soon after had Doyle not ignored Will Sparrow free on the wing before a forward pass chalked off a Jack Lines try.

Crewe took the lead when they picked up from a scrum near the Ludlow line with the conversion nudging them ahead.

For the remainder of the half the Cheshire side cut through Ludlow’s hitherto strong defence at will as they opened up a 33-10 interval lead, Sparrow adding a second try for the visitors following strong forward play.

Lines switched from wing to centre after the break and this sparked a Ludlow revival with Sparrow claiming his second try and then adding the conversion.

Lock Jim Alderson was next to score and the fightback continued with Lines adding a brace of tries to his name, Sparrow’s conversion giving Ludlow the lead once more.

But there was to be one final twist as Crewe scored late on against the run of play and the conversion a minute from time handed them victory.

There was better news for Cleobury Mortimer in Midlands Three West (North) as they chalked up a 19-14 win at Wednesbury. Tom Leach scored the visitors’ only try with Hayden Edwards kicking the conversion and four penalties.

Clee Hill recovered from back-to-back defeats to win 39-19 at Aldridge in Midlands Four West (North).