STRUGGLING Crewe and Nantwich crashed to their fifth straight league defeat with a 20-12 loss at Wallasey.

It's been a turbulent few weeks that have seen Nick Price's side suffer a loss of confidence as they tumble to fifth in SLC Division Two.

Injuries to key personnel have been instrumental, forcing them to field youngsters or veterans.

But there has been plenty of fight from the troops, demonstrated as they tried to battle back into proceedings, last Saturday.

Crewe were caught totally cold early on as they conceded three tries to a rampant Wallasey side.

Trailing 17-0 at the break, captain Andy Pemberton rallied his troops to strike back with two tries, sparking the shift by scoring one himself.

Then fly-half Danny Lynch got in on the act, joining a forward surge to ground the ball over the line.

His subsequent conversion brought Crewe within a single score of their opponents and gave them real hope but Wallasey hit back to secure two points.

There were positives.

"Of the youngsters Joe Simmons was outstanding in the line-out," said spokesman Alan Jones.

"He's definitely one for the future."

Crewe look to rescue their season when they entertain Ellesmere Port in the semi-final of the Thwaites Cheshire Plate on Saturday, KO 3pm.

l The promoted seconds won 42-7 at Broughton Park.