Capenhurst RFC 3 Nantwich RFC 40.

SATURDAY saw the start of the 2010/2011 season for Crewe and Nantwich Rugby Club, who began with a comfortable win at Capenhurst in the Cheshire Plate.

Nantwich were in high spirits after a very positive off-season, with new players joining the club and some successful fitness training through the summer months.

The match started with some good exchanges between the packs and the home side took a 3-0 lead after a well taken penalty early in the first half.

Andre Zwijnen put Crewe and Nantwich in the lead when he went over in the corner but to the surprise of everyone on the field the try was disallowed for not fully grounding the ball.

The pressure was building from the Nantwich pack and it was only a matter of time before the Capenhurst defence buckled.

Crewe found a way through five minutes before half time when new signing Killian Roach went over and Will Brown converted to make it 3-7 at the break.

The visitors stepped up a gear in the second half as Adam Chalkin chased down his own kick before blocking the Capenhurst clearance and charging over between the posts.

This was followed with a slick interchange of passes between the forwards finished off by Niall McGregor for the first of his two tries.

Fly half Andy Thompson added another with a scything run through the Capenhurst defence and unselfishly popped the ball to Lee Gray, who went over for his first try.

Consistent pack pressure, including an outstanding display from man-of-the-match Joe Simmons, saw two more tries before the end from McGregor and Gray to record an easy 3-40 victory.

Next Saturday sees the start of the league season with all four senior sides in action from 1pm, with the main event at 3pm when the First XV take on Congleton.