WHITCHURCH'S tough start to the North West League Two season continued with a 14-8 defeat at home to Crewe and Nantwich on Saturday.

The visitors made the trip unbeaten in the league this season while the Reds went into the game looking for their second win of the campaign in front of the largest crowd of the term so far.

Both sides defend3ed well with no score in the opening 20 minutes before the Cheshire side broke the deadlock with a penalty.

Whitchurch hit back and within five minutes were level with a Jake Dodwell penalty kick. 

Both teams struggled to keep possession and Crewe extended their lead with another penalty kick due to poor discipline with the Whitchurch forwards just before the break.

OTHER NEWS:

The Reds started well after the interval but were punished when the visitors broke from inside their own 22 metre line to storm forward for a try.

Things got even worse for the Whitchurch team who then conceded another penalty. 

Whitchurch refused to surrender and the pressure was rewarded when the ball was passed out along the backs to Isaac Wilding who piled over for a try. 

The conversion attempt rebounded off the post but as Crewe and Nantwich held on to celebrate a slender margin of victory. 

Captain Jimmy Hockenhull said: "It was a typical local derby game where everything was tight and the game never flowed naturally but credit to all the team as another losing bonus point was earned."

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Whitchurch and the surrounding area? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the 'Morning Briefing' and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.

Whitchurch Colts celebrated a superb 32-19 victory over Firwood Waterloo in the National Cup.

The colts have two teams this year with both the under 18s and 17s still unbeaten in their respective leagues this season.

This weekend the Reds make the trip to Douglas in the Isle of Man with a 12.30pm kick-off aiming to make the trek worthwhile by registering only their second win of the season so far.