Liverpool St Helens 14 Crewe and Nantwich 54.

Week two in the Regional 2 North West League and despite a strong showing for the first thirty minutes and 100 per cent effort throughout, LSH were again left in no doubt of the size of the task ahead of them this season.

On the sort of hot sunny day that saps the energy of most spectators, never mind the players, LSH weathered an early storm from the visitors with an efficient and determined defence.

Gradually working into the game they reached the first sensible water break after 20 minutes with the game scoreless.

The next ten belonged to the men from Moss Lane, so much so that on the half hour mark they could have gone ahead when Jake Dickinson, tantalisingly, could not get full control of a smart cross field kick from Rob Sexton with the line at his mercy.

And then, as if we were watching a different game, the Cheshire outfit scored three tries in less than ten minutes to reach half time 0-19 in front.

The visitors carried on where they had left off after the break with two more scores in quick succession 0-33 before, as in the previous week LSH determinedly fought back, scoring two tries of their own.

The first came from hooker Connor Glynn after a well-executed catch and drive and the second from the ever reliable Dan Webster from short range after a strong forwards move.

Matty Wood converted both - 14-33.

This only served to spark the Crewe lads into further action, registering three more tries before the end.

This Saturday (16th) LSH travel to Douglas (Isle of Man) kick off 13.00.