WHITCHURCH sealed their place in the next round of the Papa John’s Cup with a thrilling 17-13 extra-time win over Crewe and Nantwich on Saturday.
The Reds raced into an early lead with Steve Bloor crossing the whitewash
Crewe enjoyed a spell of pressure of their own but with 30 minutes played a clever chip and gather by hooker Jake Bailey saw him cross for a second try with Robbie Leighton’s conversion attempt striking the woodwork.
The Cheshire side reduced the arrears at the start of the second-half but the tackling from Whitchurch was exemplary, filled with passion and pride, but eventually they broke through and score out wide.
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This spurred the Crewe team on and with a place the next round at stake again the Reds were asked to defend and tackle heroically.
With seconds remaining the Cheshire side snatched a last gasp try and the conversion was missed as the tie went into extra-time.
Whitchurch were awarded a penalty try following numerous penalties conceded by the visitors who responded with a penalty to ensure a tense finale.
However Whitchurch held firm to seal a trip to Liverpool Waterloo on Saturday.
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